used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
having companions or an escort
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
past form of “add” — make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
(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 It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
terminate
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
BurrnounUS /bɜːr/
seed vessel having hooks or prickles
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
busy-bodies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
a beverage consisting of an infusion of ground coffee beans
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
Colonel'snounUS /ˈkɜːrnəlz/
possessive form of “colonel” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
deliveringverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
empoweringverbUS /ɪmˈpaʊərɪŋ/
-ing form of “empower” — give or delegate power or authority to
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
accept an excuse for
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
come to pass
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
the literary culture
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
a form of address for a man
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
a brief written record
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
not divisible by two
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
packetnounUS /ˈpækət/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
a human being
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
PlowverbUS /plaʊ/
to break and turn over earth especially with a plow
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
postscriptnounUS /ˈpoʊskrɪpt/
a note appended to a letter after the signature
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
pressingnounUS /ˈpresɪŋ/
the act of pressing; the exertion of pressure
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
pryingnounUS /ˈpraɪɪŋ/
offensive inquisitiveness
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
sealverbUS /siːl/
make tight; secure against leakage
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
transport commercially
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
for a short time
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It struck me as most odd that the packet should have been sealed at all.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading To this he had added a postscript empowering me to break the seal of the packet upon my arrival at St. Louis.
precisely as stated
From this reading But upon reflection, I concluded that this was a very proper precaution against a chance inspection of the contents by prying busy-bodies who should happen to handle the packet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was accompanied by a note in which Mr. Burr pleaded pressing business as an excuse for not delivering the packet in person.
which person or people
From this reading SHIP AND CREW The promised packet of letters was delivered to me at the Plow shortly after dark, by the man who had served coffee at the Colonel's.
