used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
(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 "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
attentiveadjectiveUS /əˈtentɪv/
(often followed by “to”) giving care or attention
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
CunninghamnounUS /ˈkʌnɪŋhæm/
United States dancer and choreographer (born in 1922)
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
Dora
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
employverbUS /emˈplɔɪ/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
the act of departing
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
of or relating to two people who are married to each other
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
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 "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading But what I wanted to say to you was about London.
held dear
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
and nothing more
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
an organization to gain political power
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
satisfactorilyadverbUS /ˌsætɪˈsfæktrəli/
in a satisfactory manner
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
express in words
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
signifyverbUS /ˈsɪɡnəfaɪ/
denote or connote
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "It cannot signify what Dora says; she is not to rule every one; at least I am sure she shall not rule me.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
in or at that place or location
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
plural of “think” — an instance of deliberate thinking
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
precisely as stated
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
close enough to be walked to
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading But what I wanted to say to you was about London.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But what I wanted to say to you was about London.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Is it, indeed?" replied Margaret, who dearly loved a little mystery; "but you must be quick, for Dora said so much to me, before we came out, about being attentive to them all."
(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 "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
which person or people
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Margaret," said Miss Cunningham, who had joined the walking party merely from not knowing how to employ her time satisfactorily while they were away, "I want you to talk to me a little; never mind the rest, they will manage very well; and really what I have to say is of consequence."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I talked to papa this morning; and he says, after all, he thinks there is a chance of your going."
