used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
anew
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
(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 If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
pleasantly occupied
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
CatchingnounUS /ˈkætʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of catcher on a baseball team
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
CompoundnounUS /ˈkɑːmpaʊnd/
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
From this reading Compound Interest.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
one or the other of two
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
start firing a weapon
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
HemmedverbUS /hemd/
inflected form of “hem” — fold over and sew together to provide with a hem
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Compound Interest.
intrusionnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːʒən/
any entry into an area not previously occupied
From this reading If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
immediately past
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
MagnanimousadjectiveUS /mæɡˈnænəməs/
noble and generous in spirit
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
ManagernounUS /ˈmænədʒər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
a form of address for a man
From this reading If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
by chance
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
Perkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
Peter'snounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
possessive form of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
PrecedencenounUS /ˈpresədəns/
status established in order of importance or urgency
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
PurelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
on the contrary
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
resentverbUS /rɪˈzent/
feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading If the cabin belonged to Mr. Perkins, he did not, at all events, appear to resent the intrusion.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
not in physical motion
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
StrawsnounUS /strɔːz/
plural of “straw” — plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
confined on all sides
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
TotalverbUS /ˈtoʊtəl/
add up in number or quantity
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether he was in Peter's cabin, or Peter in his, did not appear; and perhaps it was not of much consequence either way.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Back to the Fire Again.--A Magnanimous Return.--Catching at Straws.--Two Total Strangers.--Purely a Question of Precedence.--"Hemmed in" and "Surrounded."--The Last Chance._ The Bank Manager looked across at Peter with an amused smile; he seemed quite friendly.
the words that are spoken
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You seem rather put out about something," he said again, as Peter was still too short of breath for words.
