Chapter V · Chapter 5

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

(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 It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

in a willing manner

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

destroyed or killed

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

a severe or trying experience

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

in other respects or ways

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

past form of “propose” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

move upward

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

superlative of “stiff” — not moving or operating freely

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

above or beyond the human or demanding more than human power or endurance

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

in an unaccountable manner

From this reading And then on the third day his spirits unaccountably began to rise.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It seemed to him that all the light had gone out of his life, and hope was dead.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading He told himself that the proposed trip could not be otherwise than the stiffest kind of an ordeal to a man in his position, an ordeal calling for well-nigh superhuman self-control.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE FIRST STAGE For two days Stonor went about his preparations with an air of dogged determination.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading How gladly would he have given it up, had he not given his word.