used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
adequateadjectiveUS /ˈædəkwət/
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
From this reading The chain fastened to the fetter was quite adequate to hold him.
(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 The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading The chain fastened to the fetter was quite adequate to hold him.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
Earthmannoun
an inhabitant of the earth
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
divisible by two
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading The chain fastened to the fetter was quite adequate to hold him.
fetternounUS /ˈfetər/
a shackle for the ankles or feet
From this reading The chain fastened to the fetter was quite adequate to hold him.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading The chain fastened to the fetter was quite adequate to hold him.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
in other respects or ways
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The chain fastened to the fetter was quite adequate to hold him.
any competition
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
sheepishadjectiveUS /ˈʃiːpɪʃ/
like or suggestive of a sheep in docility or stupidity or meekness or timidity
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
tetherverbUS /ˈteðər/
tie with a tether
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Race Through Space Immediately the Earthman set himself to the task of examining everything in his prison.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as he had expected, there was little or nothing to discover.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The walls which his tether permitted him to reach were all perfectly smooth and solid.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He realized with a sheepish grin that it had been foolish of him to even dare to hope that they would be otherwise.
