used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They bought a few things.
ALEXANDRIAnounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændriə/
a town in Louisiana on the Red River
From this reading THE RIOT IN ALEXANDRIA.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading They bought a few things.
brooches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
coloursnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a distinguishing emblem
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
EgyptiannounUS /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Egypt
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading They bought a few things.
filigreenounUS /ˈfɪləɡriː/
delicate and intricate ornamentation (usually in gold or silver or other fine twisted wire)
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
fringesnounUS /ˈfrɪndʒɪz/
plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
gaily-decorated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
handkerchiefsnounUS /ˈhæŋkərtʃəfs/
plural of “handkerchief” — a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE RIOT IN ALEXANDRIA.
having or showing interest; especially curiosity or fascination or concern
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
investedverbUS /ˌɪnˈvestəd/
past form of “invest” — make an investment
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
knottedadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːtɪd/
tied with a knot
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
ladsnounUS /lædz/
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
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 Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
poundverbUS /paʊnd/
hit hard with the hand, fist, or some heavy instrument
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
on the contrary
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
RIOTnounUS /ˈraɪət/
a public act of violence by an unruly mob
From this reading THE RIOT IN ALEXANDRIA.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
sauntered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
shopsnounUS /ʃɑːps/
plural of “shop” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading FOR half an hour the lads sauntered on, interested in the people rather than the shops.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RIOT IN ALEXANDRIA.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They bought a few things.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading They bought a few things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
tobacconounUS /təˈbækoʊ/
leaves of the tobacco plant dried and prepared for smoking or ingestion
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
precisely as stated
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I do not know what they will do with them," he said; "but they will do to put on the back of a sofa or something of that sort."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Jack invested in half a pound of Egyptian tobacco and a gaily-decorated pipe for his Uncle Ben, two little filigree brooches, and a couple of very large silk handkerchiefs of many colours, with knotted fringes, for his mother and sister.
