used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
anklesnounUS /ˈæŋkəlz/
plural of “ankle” — a gliding joint between the distal ends of the tibia and fibula and the proximal end of the talus
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
bluntadjectiveUS /blʌnt/
having a broad or rounded end
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
confirmedadjectiveUS /kənˈfɜːrmd/
of persons; not subject to change
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
without stop or interruption
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
daggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/
A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
the time after sunrise and before sunset while it is light outside
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
enableverbUS /eˈneɪbəl/
render capable or able for some task
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
experimentsnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənts/
plural of “experiment” — the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
Francis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
hopelessadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊpləs/
without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
immediately past
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
engage in
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
not any; not one
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
on one occasion
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
rivetsnounUS /ˈrɪvəts/
plural of “rivet” — ornament consisting of a circular rounded protuberance (as on a vault or shield or belt)
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
not in physical motion
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading For an hour he sat still, thinking, and at last an idea occurred to him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
trialsnounUS /ˈtraɪəlz/
plural of “trial” — the act of testing something
From this reading After a few trials he gave this up as hopeless, for he was afraid, if he continued, he would blunt the edge of the dagger.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His experiments of the evening before were at once confirmed.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading As soon as it was daylight next morning, Francis was up and at work.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
wristsnounUS /rɪsts/
plural of “wrist” — a joint between the distal end of the radius and the proximal row of carpal bones
From this reading Three or four hours' work would enable him to free his wrists, but he could make no impression on the rivets at his ankles.
