used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
aggressiveadjectiveUS /əˈɡresɪv/
having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
in the past
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
(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 A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
disposed or placed in a particular kind of order
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
coal-oil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
combatnounUS /ˈkɑːmbæt/
an engagement fought between two military forces
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
contemptuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtemptʃuːəs/
expressing extreme contempt
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
encountersnounUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərz/
plural of “encounter” — a minor short-term fight
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
an opposing military force
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
engageverbUS /enˈɡeɪdʒ/
carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
invincibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪnsəbəl/
incapable of being overcome or subdued
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
limpverbUS /lɪmp/
walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
not any; not one
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
on one occasion
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
plasticadjectiveUS /ˈplæstɪk/
capable of being molded or modeled (especially of earth or clay or other soft material)
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
postmarknounUS /ˈpoʊstmɑːrk/
a cancellation mark stamped on mail by postal officials; indicates the post office and date of mailing
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
qualmsnounUS /kwɑːmz/
plural of “qualm” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
SaxonnounUS /ˈsæksən/
a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading A short time ago, Saxon had felt stronger than all the forces of fate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
ViewingnounUS /ˈvjuːɪŋ/
the display of a motion picture
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Now, as he bent forward in his chair, the South American letter hanging in limp fingers and the coal-oil lamp on the table throwing its circle of light on the foreign postmark and stamp of the envelope, he realized that the battle was on.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had believed that circumstances were plastic and man invincible.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
which person or people
From this reading Viewing it all in this light, he felt the qualms of a general who encounters an aggressive enemy before his line is drawn and his battle front arranged.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The forces of which he had been contemptuous were to engage him at once, with no breathing space before the combat.
