used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
ascendingadjectiveUS /əˈsendɪŋ/
moving or going or growing upward
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
communicateverbUS /kəˈmjuːnəkeɪt/
transmit information
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
the act of discovering something
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
Fondi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
immediately past
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
lethargynounUS /ˈleθərdʒi/
a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness)
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
a particular point in time
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
used to form the superlative
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
mulesnounUS /mjuːlz/
plural of “mule” — hybrid offspring of a male donkey and a female horse; usually sterile
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
information about recent and important events
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
not any; not one
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
organizationnounUS /ˌɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/
a group of people who work together
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
causing physical or psychological pain
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
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 If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
in the right manner; correctly; suitably
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
saddledadjectiveUS /ˈsædəld/
having a saddle on or being mounted on a saddled animal
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
self-possessionnoun
the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
move hurridly
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
sunkadjectiveUS /sʌŋk/
doomed to extinction
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
tidingsnounUS /ˈtaɪdɪŋz/
information about recent and important events
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
the upper part of anything
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
a just detectable amount
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
uncertaintynounUS /ənˈsɜːrtənti/
being unsettled or in doubt or dependent on chance
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
at the time that
From this reading On opening the door of his room, I felt by no means sure of myself; and when I confronted him, his manner of receiving me took me so much by surprise that, for a moment or two, I lost my self-possession altogether.
in or at the place that
From this reading I returned at the top of my speed to the village where I had left the mules, had the animals saddled immediately, and succeeded in getting back to Fondi a little before sunset.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Every trace of the lethargy in which he was sunk when I had last seen him had disappeared.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While ascending the stairs of our hotel, I suffered under the most painful uncertainty as to how I should best communicate the news of my discovery to Alfred.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If I could not succeed in preparing him properly for my tidings, the results, with such an organization as his, might be fatal.
