used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
fearless and daring
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
cemeterynounUS /ˈseməteri/
a tract of land used for burials
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
the person or thing chosen or selected
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
clandestineadjectiveUS /klænˈdestɪn/
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
deliverynounUS /dɪˈlɪvəri/
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
destinynounUS /ˈdestəni/
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
earliestadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrliəst/
(comparative and superlative of “early”) more early than; most early
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
electionnounUS /ɪˈlekʃən/
a vote to select the winner of a position or political office
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
being one more than ten
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
Hilliard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
of the present time and place
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
the act of departing
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
for more time
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
not any; not one
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
a brief written record
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
omennounUS /ˈoʊmən/
a sign of something about to happen
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
PolandnounUS /ˈpoʊlənd/
a republic in central Europe; the invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939 started World War II
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
Poland'snounUS /ˈpoʊləndz/
possessive form of “poland” — a republic in central Europe; the invasion of Poland by Germany in 1939 started World War II
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
pouncedverbUS /paʊnst/
past form of “pounce” — move down on as if in an attack
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
remindernounUS /riˈmaɪndər/
a message that helps you remember something
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
rendezvousnounUS /ˈrɑːndɪvuː/
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
scrawlverbUS /skrɔːl/
write carelessly
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
get rid of
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
Shelby
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
Shelby's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The earliest mail delivery had shed a glimmer of hope in the shape of a midnight note from Mrs. Hilliard.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
votingnounUS /ˈvoʊtɪŋ/
a choice that is made by counting the number of people in favor of each alternative
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was more solid ground than mere confidence in his destiny behind Shelby's bold front.
wastedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪstɪd/
serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
belonging to which person
From this reading Mrs. Hilliard had named a cemetery on the immediate outskirts as the rendezvous--a choice on whose evil omen Shelby wasted no thought.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The scrawl ended with an appointment for a clandestine meeting at eleven o'clock, toward which he now bent his steps on leaving Ruth.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He did not require her reminder that the voting strength of Little Poland was no longer to be counted in his column--he had thought and fought that out in the small hours; but he did need and pounced upon the statement that Little Poland's master would be out of town the greater part of election day.
