used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
Alice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Who are _you_?" said the Caterpillar.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "What do you mean by that?" said the Caterpillar sternly.
CaterpillarnounUS /ˈkætəpɪlər/
a wormlike and often brightly colored and hairy or spiny larva of a butterfly or moth
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "What do you mean by that?" said the Caterpillar sternly.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
encouragingadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒɪŋ/
giving courage or confidence or hope
From this reading This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
only a very short time before
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
hookahnoun
an oriental tobacco pipe with a long flexible tube connected to a container where the smoke is cooled by passing through water
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
and nothing more
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
languidadjectiveUS /ˈlæŋɡwəd/
lacking spirit or liveliness
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
immediately past
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
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 Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "What do you mean by that?" said the Caterpillar sternly.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
on the contrary
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Who are _you_?" said the Caterpillar.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
shylyadverbUS /ˈʃaɪli/
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
term of address for a man
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
sternlyadverbUS /ˈstɜːrnli/
with sternness; in a severe manner
From this reading "What do you mean by that?" said the Caterpillar sternly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "What do you mean by that?" said the Caterpillar sternly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading [Sidenote: _Advice from a Caterpillar_] THE Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What do you mean by that?" said the Caterpillar sternly.
at the time that
From this reading Alice replied, rather shyly, "I hardly know, sir, just at present--at least I know who I _was_ when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then."
which person or people
From this reading "Who are _you_?" said the Caterpillar.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Who are _you_?" said the Caterpillar.
