used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading “I agree with you.”
(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 “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
for the reason that
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
one or the other of two
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
faintlyadverbUS /ˈfeɪntli/
to a faint degree or weakly perceived
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
FloranounUS /ˈflɔːrə/
all the plant life in a particular region or period
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
hundredthnounUS /ˈhʌndrədθ/
position 100 in a countable series of things
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
infinitesimalnounUS /ˌɪnfɪnɪˈtesɪməl/
(mathematics) a variable that has zero as its limit
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
and nothing more
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
OptimismnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪzəm/
the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out well
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
optimistsnounUS /ˈɑːptəmɪsts/
plural of “optimist” — a person disposed to take a favorable view of things
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
OwennounUS /ˈoʊən/
Welsh industrialist and social reformer who founded cooperative communities (1771-1858)
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading Optimism doesn’t carry one far enough, in preparing a line of defence.”
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
safeguardnounUS /ˈseɪfɡɑːrd/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading “I don’t think that either you or I are optimists, Owen,” said Flora, faintly smiling.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
there's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
a special situation
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
precisely as stated
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
(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 “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The chance that it _is_ true, may be infinitesimal--the hundredth chance, if you like--but it’s that which I’ve got to think about, not the other.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I agree with you.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You see, if I am to safeguard my father from this thing, I can’t very well afford to wait and do nothing, just because there’s quite a big chance that it isn’t true at all.
