used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading They wondered they had never thought of it before.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There was a certain satisfaction in doing so.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
a condition that accompanies or influences some event or activity
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
recognizable; marked
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
diplomaticadjectiveUS /ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk/
relating to or characteristic of diplomacy
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading There was a certain satisfaction in doing so.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
a feeling of favorable regard
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They wondered they had never thought of it before.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
conformity or harmony
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
of an obscure nature
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading They wondered they had never thought of it before.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
renderingnounUS /ˈrendərɪŋ/
a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading There was a certain satisfaction in doing so.
schoolfellow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading There was a certain satisfaction in doing so.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
strictadjectiveUS /strɪkt/
rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a certain satisfaction in doing so.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading They wondered they had never thought of it before.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Message Now that they had decided on an explanation of their schoolfellow's mysterious conduct, the chums felt that every circumstance seemed to point in its favour.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
look attentively
From this reading The importance of keeping a strict watch was realized by both.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They felt as if they were rendering their country a service, almost indeed as if they were members of a secret diplomatic corps, and had been told off for special duty.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading They wondered they had never thought of it before.
