a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading Dick braced himself.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading DID UNCLE SILAS’ EARS BURN?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
someone who is a detective
From this reading Dick braced himself.
DIDauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading DID UNCLE SILAS’ EARS BURN?
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading DID UNCLE SILAS’ EARS BURN?
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Dick braced himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
the sound of laughing
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
lavishadjectiveUS /ˈlævɪʃ/
very generous
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
an expression of approval and commendation
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading But his pride made him laugh now, and assume an indifferent air.
something given for victory or superiority in a contest or competition or for winning a lottery
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
rivalverbUS /ˈraɪvəl/
be equal to in quality or ability
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
SILAS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DID UNCLE SILAS’ EARS BURN?
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading DID UNCLE SILAS’ EARS BURN?
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
worldsnounUS /wɜːrldz/
plural of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Not for worlds did he want these chums of his to see how badly he felt at hearing such lavish praise for the effort of his foremost rival.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He wanted that golden prize, and would be deeply disappointed if he failed to capture it.
