used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
for the reason that
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
Bonifacenoun
(Roman Catholic Church) Anglo-Saxon missionary who was sent to Frisia and Germany to spread the Christian faith; was martyred in Frisia (680-754)
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
FluttersnounUS /ˈflʌtərz/
plural of “flutter” — the act of moving back and forth
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
for a limitless time
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
groovesnounUS /ɡruːvz/
plural of “groove” — a long narrow furrow cut either by a natural process (such as erosion) or by a tool (as e.g. a groove in a phonograph record)
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
harbingersnounUS /ˈhɑːrbɪŋərz/
plural of “harbinger” — something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
and nothing more
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
lookoutnounUS /ˈlʊkaʊt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
information about recent and important events
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
many times at short intervals
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
OOD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
Identical; not different.
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
sorrowfuladjectiveUS /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/
experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
StarlightnounUS /ˈstɑːrlaɪt/
the light of the stars
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It had been one of those days that sometimes come in the latter part of May as harbingers of summer.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
unanticipatedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnænˈtɪsəpeɪtɪd/
not anticipated
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
uneventfullyadverb
in an uneventful manner
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
precisely as stated
From this reading And in this same unanticipated fashion some very good news came to Aunt Frances.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was just at sunset, and she was out on the river in a little boat with Starlight.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
at the time that
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
wordedverbUS /ˈwɜːrdɪd/
past form of “word” — put into words or an expression
From this reading OOD news or sorrowful news does not always come to one in the form of a carefully worded letter, as with Mrs. Boniface and Flutters, nor when, because a letter of some sort is expected, one is in a way prepared for it.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading More often it comes when you are least on the lookout for it, and when life is running on uneventfully in worn grooves, as though it must so run on forever.
