used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
consider or hold as true
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
achieveverbUS /əˈtʃiːv/
to gain with effort
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
(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 He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
aspirationsnounUS /ˌæspərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “aspiration” — a will to succeed
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
performance of moral or religious acts
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
fancifuladjectiveUS /ˈfænsɪfəl/
indulging in or influenced by fancy
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
set up or found
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
improbableadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprɑːbəbəl/
not likely to be true or to occur or to have occurred
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
independentadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
free from external control and constraint
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
a person who rules or guides or inspires others
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
limitsnounUS /ˈlɪməts/
plural of “limit” — the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
major-generals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
marvelousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrvələs/
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
modestynounUS /ˈmɑːdəsti/
freedom from vanity or conceit
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
not any; not one
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
oftentimesadverbUS /ˈɔːfəntaɪmz/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
performverbUS /pərˈfɔːrm/
carry out or perform an action
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
picturedadjectiveUS /ˈpɪktʃərd/
seen in the mind as a mental image
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
any competition
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
regionsnounUS /ˈriːdʒənz/
plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
an ability that has been acquired by training
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
soaringadjectiveUS /ˈsɔːrɪŋ/
ascending to a level markedly higher than the usual
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
SOMERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LIEUTENANT SOMERS CHANGES HIS NAME AND CHARACTER Like the major-generals in the army, Lieutenant Somers had strong aspirations in the direction of an independent command.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
valornounUS /ˈvælər/
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
veinsnounUS /veɪnz/
plural of “vein” — a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading His imagination led him a wild race, and pictured him in the act of performing marvelous deeds of valor and skill.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading He had the blood of heroes in his veins; and, in spite of all he could do to keep his thoughts within the limits of modesty, he found them soaring to the regions of the improbable and fanciful.
worthiesnounUS /ˈwɜːrðiz/
plural of “worthy” — an important, honorable person (word is often used humorously)
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Fancy is a blind and reckless leader; and it gave our hero oftentimes a command which his reason would not have permitted him to accept.
but in spite of that
From this reading Like those distinguished worthies, no doubt, he felt competent to perform bigger things than he had yet been called to achieve in the ordinary routine of duty.
