used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
(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 "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
allowingverbUS /əˈlaʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
Barbara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
bricknounUS /brɪk/
rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
CODAnounUS /ˈkoʊdə/
the closing section of a musical composition
From this reading THE CODA.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
recognizable; marked
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
differentlyadverbUS /ˈdɪfrəntli/
in another and different manner
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
Donald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
FrancesnounUS /ˈfrænsɪs/
plural of “france” — a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
where you live at a particular time
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
immediately past
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
nicelyadverbUS /ˈnaɪsli/
in a nice way
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
niecenounUS /niːs/
a daughter of your brother or sister
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
on the contrary
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
she's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
express in words
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CODA.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
a special situation
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
interact in a certain way
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Of course," Donald said in his decided way, "we must do the proper thing by her and treat her nicely--for after all, Frances, she's been rather a brick about Barbara--and the last time she stayed she was much improved."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At first Frances and Donald were inclined to think it a huge joke, but having read to the end of Barbara's letter they felt rather differently.
at the time that
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
wiselyadverbUS /ˈwaɪzli/
in a wise manner
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If Barbara had been at home when her letter arrived, she would have been quite content with the excitement it caused.
produce a literary work
From this reading Aunt Anne had acted more wisely than she knew in allowing her niece to be the one to write and tell of her engagement.
