used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
be able to spare or give up
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
anew
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
eagerly desirous
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
Archaeopteryxnoun
extinct primitive toothed bird of the Jurassic period having a long feathered tail and hollow bones; usually considered the most primitive of all birds
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
booking-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
CrystalnounUS /ˈkrɪstəl/
a solid formed by the solidification of a chemical and having a highly regular atomic structure
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
ees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
very good; of the highest quality
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WAITING FOR THE TRAIN.
set up or found
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
the act of departing
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
goned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
grinnounUS /ɡrɪn/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
many times at short intervals
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
oliday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
PorternounUS /ˈpɔːrtər/
a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading "Clerk be goned away for 'ees 'oliday," explained the Porter, with a grin.
primitiveadjectiveUS /ˈprɪmətɪv/
belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
thatchedverbUS /θætʃt/
past form of “thatch” — cover with thatch
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WAITING FOR THE TRAIN.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
ticketsnounUS /ˈtɪkəts/
plural of “ticket” — a commercial document showing that the holder is entitled to something (as to ride on public transportation or to enter a public entertainment)
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
create by training and teaching
From this reading WAITING FOR THE TRAIN.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
precisely as stated
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading WAITING FOR THE TRAIN.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading "Then whatever are we going to do about tickets?" asked Marjorie, anxiously, for the trip to the Crystal Palace seemed to afford such an excellent opportunity of getting home again that she was anxious not to miss it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They found, on reaching the station, which was a very primitive affair with a thatched roof, that the booking-office was closed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "He may be back before the train comes in," said the Archaeopteryx; "there doesn't seem to be one in sight, and we often have to wait weeks and weeks for a train here, you know."
