used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
afflictedadjectiveUS /əˈflɪktɪd/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But the faster the frightened girl ran the faster the traveler back of her appeared to be following.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading But the faster the frightened girl ran the faster the traveler back of her appeared to be following.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
chaperon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
criticizesverbUS /ˈkrɪtɪsaɪzɪz/
third-person singular of “criticize” — find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
DISGRACEverbUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/
bring shame or dishonor upon
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading But the faster the frightened girl ran the faster the traveler back of her appeared to be following.
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 To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading But the faster the frightened girl ran the faster the traveler back of her appeared to be following.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
Not remembered; lapsed from memory.
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
the condition of being free; the power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
made afraid
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
gaspsnounUS /ɡæsps/
plural of “gasp” — a short labored intake of breath with the mouth open
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
a young female
From this reading But the faster the frightened girl ran the faster the traveler back of her appeared to be following.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
harderadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdər/
comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
for more time
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
used to form the superlative
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
easily agitated
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
not any; not one
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
OliveadjectiveUS /ˈɑːləv/
of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
and nothing more
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
win a victory over
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
poundingnounUS /ˈpaʊndɪŋ/
repeated heavy blows
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
quickenedverbUS /ˈkwɪkənd/
past form of “quicken” — move faster
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading But the faster the frightened girl ran the faster the traveler back of her appeared to be following.
ranchnounUS /ræntʃ/
farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
recallingverbUS /rɪˈkɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
To recall to mind.
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading Of the four ranch girls, Olive was the only timid one, but before one criticizes her, remember her childhood.
timiditynounUS /təˈmɪdəti/
fear of the unknown or unfamiliar or fear of making decisions
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
travelernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading But the faster the frightened girl ran the faster the traveler back of her appeared to be following.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading To the people not afflicted with timidity, most fears are ridiculous, and yet no single weakness is harder to overcome.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Now with her heart pounding and her breath coming in short gasps, she quickened her pace into a run, recalling at the same time their chaperon’s forgotten instruction that she must no longer expect the happy freedom of their western lands.
in the company of; together with
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
but in spite of that
From this reading IN DISGRACE It was ridiculous for Olive to have been so frightened with so slight cause, yet the thought that some one might be in pursuit of her filled her with a nervous terror.
