used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jack hesitated a short time before replying.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
equally
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
American-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
AmosnounUS /ˈeɪməs/
a Hebrew shepherd and minor prophet
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
for the reason that
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Jack hesitated a short time before replying.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yes, they meant to be as neutral as they could.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
crimesnounUS /kraɪmz/
plural of “crime” — (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
only a very short time before
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading Jack hesitated a short time before replying.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack hesitated a short time before replying.
and nothing more
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
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 It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Yes, they meant to be as neutral as they could.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
neutraladjectiveUS /ˈnuːtrəl/
having no personal preference
From this reading Yes, they meant to be as neutral as they could.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
replyingverbUS /rɪˈplaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Jack hesitated a short time before replying.
precisely, exactly
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Jack hesitated a short time before replying.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
swayverbUS /sweɪ/
move back and forth or sideways
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Jack hesitated a short time before replying.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading What Amos had said must have had an influence upon him, because as American-born boys they nearly always felt alike in such matters.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was plain that he hardly knew just what their proper course should be, and wanted to be sure he was right before attempting to sway his companion.
an affirmative
From this reading Yes, they meant to be as neutral as they could.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet there were some crimes that must prevent them from holding out against taking sides.
