used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
Aida
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
(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 Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Well, you'll have a handful, by Jove you will!
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
rid of obstructions
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
cordialitynoun
a cordial disposition
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
accept an excuse for
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
opinion or judgment
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
a social unit living together
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
a boy or man
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
Glanton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
the act of departing
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading "Well, you'll have a handful, by Jove you will!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, you'll have a handful, by Jove you will!
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
Jovenoun
(Roman mythology) supreme god of Romans; counterpart of Greek Zeus
From this reading "Well, you'll have a handful, by Jove you will!
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
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 Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
take the midday meal
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
on the contrary
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
express in words
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
self-reproachful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
Sewin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
in the near future
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
carry out
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
in or at that place or location
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, you'll have a handful, by Jove you will!
at the time that
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why had I not been near them for so long, especially as I was about to go away for quite a considerable time, and so forth?
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Well, you'll have a handful, by Jove you will!
in the company of; together with
From this reading Soon the family came out, and I was received with all the accustomed cordiality, and rather more.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading I began to feel self-reproachful, as I thought of my motive, but it was not easy to find an excuse, the usual "rather busy," and when I tried I could see Aida Sewin's clear eyes reading my face, and there was the faintest glimmer of a smile about her lips that seemed to say plainly: "I don't believe a word of it."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, you'll have a handful, by Jove you will!
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So you're going to take this fellow with you after all, Glanton," said the Major as we sat down to lunch.
