used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
adviseverbUS /ædˈvaɪz/
give advice to
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
(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 Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
a young person of either sex
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
defendedverbUS /dɪˈfendəd/
past form of “defend” — argue or speak in defense of
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
dispossessverbUS /ˌdɪspəˈzes/
deprive of the possession of real estate
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
Enoch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
divisible by two
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
HardingnounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/
29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
homesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
inmostadjective
being deepest within the self
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
for more time
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
masterfuladjectiveUS /ˈmæstərfəl/
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
not any; not one
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
not one, and not any
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
ordealnounUS /ɔːrˈdiːl/
a severe or trying experience
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
try to get or reach
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
express in speech
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He did not speak to his mother, nor did she seek to advise him.
UNEQUALadjectiveUS /əˈniːkwəl/
poorly balanced or matched in quantity or value or measure
From this reading AN UNEQUAL BATTLE A masterful spirit had entered into Enoch Harding during the past few months.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was no longer a child; he thought and acted as a man in many things.
which person or people
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now, with this danger threatening them all, he did not shrink from the ordeal, and none might know his inmost feelings from the expression of his face.
Yorkers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Long before they had talked this emergency over, and it had been agreed that the homestead must and should be defended even to the point of firing on the Yorkers who might come to dispossess them.
