used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GAME AND GAME.
with anger
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
challengernounUS /ˈtʃæləndʒər/
the contestant you hope to defeat
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
cowardicenounUS /ˈkaʊərdəs/
the trait of lacking courage
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
drawledverbUS /drɔːld/
past form of “drawl” — lengthen and slow down or draw out
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
expressionlessadjectiveUS /ɪkspreʃənlɪs/
deliberately impassive in manner
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
fadingnounUS /ˈfeɪdɪŋ/
weakening in force or intensity
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
made afraid
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading GAME AND GAME.
guiltnounUS /ɡɪlt/
the state of having committed an offense
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
Jim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
set down according to a plan
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
immediately past
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
McCabe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
and nothing more
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
on the contrary
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
RememberingnounUS /rɪˈmembərɪŋ/
the cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
RobbinsnounUS /ˈrɑːbɪnz/
United States choreographer who brought human emotion to classical ballet and spirited reality to Broadway musicals (1918-1998)
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
cut with a saw
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
term of address for a man
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
sprungverbUS /sprʌŋ/
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
Strikin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
sensational in appearance or thrilling in effect
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
express a supposition
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
unwarrantableadjective
incapable of being justified or explained
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
(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 Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
at the time that
From this reading Remembering his guilt and natural cowardice, we may well suppose that Jim McCabe was not a little frightened when he felt a hand laid rather heavily upon his shoulder.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading But, when he sprung round to face his fancied challenger, and saw only the face of Nick Robbins, which had become entirely expressionless within the last few seconds, he drew a deep breath of relief, and felt his fears fading.
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading “Strikin’ ye!” drawled Robbins, taking a step backward and regarding the man with a show of astonishment in his actions, if not in his face.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “What do you mean, sir, by striking me in this unwarrantable manner?” he demanded, angrily.
