used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
experiencing a sudden sense of danger
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
(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 Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
consultverbUS /kənˈsʌlt/
get or ask advice from
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
opinion or judgment
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
ten 10s
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
someone who hunts game
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading THE MISSION.
narratedverbUS /ˈnereɪtɪd/
past form of “narrate” — provide commentary for a film, for example
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
the act of departing politely
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
retrograding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
Sebastian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
in the near future
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
move hurridly
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MISSION.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
ValentinenounUS /ˈvæləntaɪn/
a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although the hunter was walking at a quick pace, he seemed greatly preoccupied, and looked mechanically around him.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Valentine, after suddenly parting from the general as we narrated, did not appear at all alarmed about pursuit; and if he hurried on at first, he soon relaxed his speed.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading Then he went on; but, instead of proceeding toward the mission, he turned his back completely on it, and returned to the bank of the river, whence he had before been retrograding.
in or at the place that
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading On arriving about a hundred yards from the spot where his interview with Don Sebastian had taken place, he stopped, raised his eyes to the sky, and seemed to consult his position.
