used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
AuntienounUS /ˈænti/
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
Bevis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
a youthful male person
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
dearly loved
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
represented in words especially with sharpness and detail
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
DonanounUS /ˈdoʊnə/
a Spanish courtesy title or form of address for a woman
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
a social unit living together
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
highest in quality
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
grown-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
heroesnounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
plural of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
where you live at a particular time
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
go away from a place
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
Nora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
on one occasion
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
an organization to gain political power
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
the season of growth
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
not in physical motion
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
ten-weeks-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
in or at that place or location
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were joined by a new member, for Nora and her husband came over, bringing their ten-weeks-old baby boy, and Marjorie, Dona, and Joan felt suddenly quite grown-up in their new capacity of "Auntie".
thirty-six-hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
toppingnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪŋ/
a flavorful addition on top of a dish
From this reading The Spring Term Both Marjorie and Dona described their holidays as "absolutely topping".
interact in a certain way
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
precisely as stated
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
week'snounUS /wiːks/
possessive form of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To have two of their dear fighting heroes back at once was quite an unexpected treat, and though there were still two vacant places in the circle, the family party was a very merry one.
which person or people
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To begin with, Father had nearly a week's leave.
Year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading He could not arrive for Christmas, but he was with them for New Year's Day, and by the greatest good luck met Bevis, who was home on a thirty-six-hours leave.
