used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
administrationnounUS /ædˌmɪnɪˈstreɪʃən/
a method of tending to or managing the affairs of a some group of people (especially the group's business affairs)
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
AWAITSverbUS /əˈweɪts/
third-person singular of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
footfalls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
destroyed or killed
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
HalenounUS /heɪl/
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
and nothing more
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
immediately past
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
martialadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
(of persons) befitting a warrior
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
Nathan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
and nothing more
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
recededverbUS /rəˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “recede” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
RECEIVESverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
in the near future
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
express in speech
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
statuenounUS /ˈstætʃuː/
a sculpture representing a human or animal
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
make steady
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
carry out
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
thoroughadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːroʊ/
painstakingly careful and accurate
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
male cat
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to speak to his brother, but he did not dare, and after the grim little procession was gone he listened to the steady, ominous footfalls, as they receded along the deck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
in or at the place that
From this reading Tom did not know where they were taking him; it might be to court martial and death.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He knew nothing about court martial, whether it was a matter of minutes or hours or days, only he knew that everything in military administration was quick, severe and thorough.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
the least favorable outcome
From this reading HE AWAITS THE WORST AND RECEIVES A SURPRISE After a while the monotony was broken by two soldiers coming to take his brother away.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Soon they would come for _him_, and he made up his mind that he would be master of himself and at the last minute he would hold his head up and look straight at them, just like the statue of Nathan Hale which he had seen....
