used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
(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 Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
take a court case to a higher court for review
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
on or to one side
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
behalfnounUS /bɪˈhæf/
as the agent of or on someone's part (usually expressed as “on behalf of” rather than “in behalf of”)
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
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 Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
breathlessnessnoun
a dyspneic condition
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
grudgesnounUS /ˈɡrʌdʒɪz/
plural of “grudge” — a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
a message received and understood
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
lackedverbUS /lækt/
past form of “lack” — be without
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
fail to keep or to maintain; cease to have, either physically or in an abstract sense
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
Mademoiselle's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
the force of workers available
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
men'snounUS /menz/
a public toilet for men
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
mistrustverbUS /mɪˈstrʌst/
regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
not any; not one
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
not one, and not any
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
overmasterverb
overcome by superior force
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
patoisnounUS /ˌpæˈtwɑː/
a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
a clergyman in Christian churches who has the authority to perform or administer various religious rites; one of the Holy Orders
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
rancournoun
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
on the contrary
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
relaxedadjectiveUS /rɪˈlækst/
without strain or anxiety
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading "Good!" said I, answering Mademoiselle's bitter mistrust, rather than her broken appeal upon the men's behalf.
directed up
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
precisely as stated
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading So we stood for half a minute, then I moved aside to the upward face of the rock.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
which person or people
From this reading Very slowly all four drew back, breathing heavily, as men do who struggle to overmaster their breathlessness.
wristsnounUS /rɪsts/
plural of “wrist” — a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I TRUST YOU, COME WHAT MAY" What the priest said I do not know, for he spoke in patois, but the grip on my wrists and arms relaxed--reluctantly, I thought, as if it was a pity to lose so excellent an opportunity of paying off old grudges.
zealnounUS /ziːl/
a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
From this reading Against them I had no rancour; the fault was none of theirs, if their zeal lacked information.
