used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
having fair knowledge of
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
(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 Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
AristophanesnounUS /ˌærəˈstɔːfəniz/
an ancient Greek dramatist remembered for his comedies (448-380 BC)
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
BLOWINGnounUS /ˈbloʊɪŋ/
processing that involves blowing a gas
From this reading BLOWING BUBBLES.
BUBBLESnounUS /ˈbʌbəlz/
plural of “bubble” — a hollow globule of gas (e.g., air or carbon dioxide)
From this reading BLOWING BUBBLES.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
yet to be or coming
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
Galvaston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
harbingernounUS /ˈhɑːrbɪndʒər/
something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
engage in
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
Marcus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
needleworknounUS /ˈniːdəlwɜːrk/
a creation created or assembled by needle and thread
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
Olivia
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
a customary way of operation or behavior
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
express in words
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
sententiousadjective
abounding in or given to pompous or aphoristic moralizing
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
in the near future
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
the season of growth
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
swallowverbUS /ˈswɑːloʊ/
pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
trodverbUS /trɑːd/
inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Marcus certainly carried his head a little higher than usual that evening; as for Olivia, she trod on air.
precisely as stated
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
(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 Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As she sat at her needlework later on, waiting until Marcus returned from his second visit to Galvaston House, her thoughts were busy about the future.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "How pleasant it is to be acquainted with new and clever things."--_Aristophanes_.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Marcus would soon have a large practice; it was all very well for Aunt Madge to be sententious, and say that one swallow does not make a spring; but already the second harbinger of good luck had put in an appearance.
