used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
court-martialnounUS /ˈkɔːrtmɑːrʃəl/
a military court to try members of the armed services who are accused of serious breaches of martial law
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
dismissalnounUS /dɪˈsmɪsəl/
a judgment disposing of the matter without a trial
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
fistnounUS /fɪst/
a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
GASPEE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ON THE GASPEE.
responsible for or chargeable with a reprehensible act
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
incurredverbUS /ˌɪnˈkɜːrd/
inflected form of “incur” — make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Prescott knew not what to make of it.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Prescott knew not what to make of it.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
engage in
From this reading Prescott knew not what to make of it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
not any; not one
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Prescott knew not what to make of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Prescott knew not what to make of it.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ON THE GASPEE.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
PrescottnounUS /ˈpreskɑːt/
a town in central Arizona
From this reading Prescott knew not what to make of it.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
the act of punishing
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
swornadjectiveUS /swɔːrn/
bound by or as if by an oath
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ON THE GASPEE.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Never before had English officer been spoken to in that manner by prisoner.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading So he allowed himself to be led away, but as he went he shook his fist at Allen and shouted:
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Prescott knew not what to make of it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had he dared he would have shot Allen on the spot, but he well knew that to do so would be the cause of an investigation into his conduct, and Prescott was guilty of many things which, if sworn to before a court-martial, would have led to his dismissal from the army, if no other punishment was incurred.
