used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
Andrea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
react verbally
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
befallenverbUS /bəˈfɑːlən/
inflected form of “befall” — become of; happen to
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
BIRTHDAYnounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
breathlessadjectiveUS /ˈbreθləs/
not breathing or able to breathe except with difficulty
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading It is only--" his dark cheeks flushed.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
absence of light or illumination
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading It is only--" his dark cheeks flushed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
be the source of pain
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
MarianounUS /mərˈiːə/
a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
MARIA'SnounUS /mərˈiːəz/
possessive form of “maria” — a dark region of considerable extent on the surface of the moon
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It is only that he has promised me a pigeon of my own!"
unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
mixingnounUS /ˈmɪksɪŋ/
the act of mixing together
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "It is only that he has promised me a pigeon of my own!"
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
and nothing more
From this reading It is only--" his dark cheeks flushed.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "It is only that he has promised me a pigeon of my own!"
Paolo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Nothing has happened," was the breathless answer; "that is, nothing dreadful, and Maria is behind with Paolo.
pigeonnounUS /ˈpɪdʒən/
wild and domesticated birds having a heavy body and short legs
From this reading "It is only that he has promised me a pigeon of my own!"
porridgenounUS /ˈpɔːrədʒ/
soft food made by boiling oatmeal or other meal or legumes in water or milk until thick
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading "It is only that he has promised me a pigeon of my own!"
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
in or at the place that
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading MARIA'S BIRTHDAY Andrea was so possessed with his idea that he ran every step of the way home that afternoon, climbed up the narrow dark stairs, two steps at a time, and burst upon his mother in such excitement that she feared some misfortune had befallen the children.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What is it?" she cried, looking up from the stiff porridge she was mixing, "are you hurt?--and Maria--where is she?"
