used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
for the reason that
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
butlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading He tried to check this idea, but in vain.
clanked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
dearly loved
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
dismounted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
entrynounUS /ˈentri/
an item inserted in a written record
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
Ian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He tried to check this idea, but in vain.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading He led the way to his master’s office.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
French bishop who is a patron saint of France (died in 397)
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
master'snounUS /ˈmæstərz/
possessive form of “master” — an artist of consummate skill
From this reading He led the way to his master’s office.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
nursedadjectiveUS /nɜːrst/
(of an infant) breast-fed
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading He led the way to his master’s office.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
and nothing more
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
Ruvno's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
subalternnoun
a British commissioned army officer below the rank of captain
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading He tried to check this idea, but in vain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He tried to check this idea, but in vain.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading He tried to check this idea, but in vain.
characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
From this reading He tried to check this idea, but in vain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading He led the way to his master’s office.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
at the time that
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
which person or people
From this reading But there was only Martin, the faithful butler who had nursed Ian on his knee.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Arrived at the large entry, the subaltern dismounted, clanked into the hall and looked round with the air of expecting to see Ruvno’s master.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The old man followed them, not that he could help Ian, but because he had a fond notion that when his dear ones were in danger they would suffer less if he kept near them.
