used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
assented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
Bullen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
the act of departing
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
despisedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspaɪzd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
dubiouslyadverbUS /ˈduːbiəsliː/
in a questionable and dubious manner
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
flippingverbUS /ˈflɪpɪŋ/
inflected form of “flip” — lightly throw to see which side comes up
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
foremannounUS /ˈfɔːrmən/
a person who exercises control over workers
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
the literary culture
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
lunch-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
negligentlyadverbUS /ˈneɡlɪdʒəntli/
in a negligent manner
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
not any; not one
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
held or filled or in use
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
petulancenounUS /ˈpetʃələns/
an irritable petulant feeling
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
Rainham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
on the contrary
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
sheetsnounUS /ʃiːts/
plural of “sheet” — any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
term of address for a man
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
smoothlyadverbUS /ˈsmuːðli/
with no problems or difficulties
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
sullenlyadverb
in a sullen manner
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
express a supposition
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
carry out
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
up to a particular time
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
to-morrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I confess things look rather bad; but I suppose they can hold over till to-morrow?"
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The foreman assented dubiously, gathering together the despised sheets, and preparing for departure.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We must go into this some other time, Bullen," he remarked with a certain petulance.
at the time that
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
in the company of; together with
From this reading As the clock struck five Rainham looked up with an air of relief, flipping negligently across the table the heap of papers which had occupied him since lunch-time.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I've done my best, sir," he said a little sullenly; "but it is difficult for things to go smoothly when the master is always away; and you never will take no notice of business letters, you know, sir."
