used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
bargainnounUS /ˈbɑːrɡən/
an agreement between parties (usually arrived at after discussion) fixing obligations of each
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
busieradjectiveUS /ˈbɪziər/
comparative of “busy” — actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
busiestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪziəst/
superlative of “busy” — actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the crowd did not thin!
CLIENTnounUS /ˈklaɪənt/
a person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
departmentnounUS /dɪˈpɑːrtmənt/
a specialized division of a large organization
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But the crowd did not thin!
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
divisible by two
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
at any time
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
a young female
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
and nothing more
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
engage in
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
the force of workers available
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
a particular point in time
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the crowd did not thin!
a brief written record
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
postmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
quietestadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪətəst/
superlative of “quiet” — characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
SEEKERnounUS /ˈsiːkər/
someone making a search or inquiry
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
storesnounUS /stɔːrz/
plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
swarmsnounUS /swɔːrmz/
plural of “swarm” — a moving crowd
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading But the crowd did not thin!
thinnedadjectiveUS /θɪnd/
mixed with water
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
timidlyadverbUS /ˈtɪmədli/
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
uniformsnounUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrmz/
plural of “uniform” — clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a particular group as a means of identification
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
(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 AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Besides the swarms and swarms of postmen, wearing just such gray uniforms as her father's, there were so many men.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Dorothy had safely reached the big post-office, which seemed to be the busiest place she had ever entered; busier even than the department stores on a "bargain day;" and she had timidly slipped into the quietest corner she could find, to wait a moment while the crowd thinned.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Then she would present her note, that asked for father John's letter to be given her, and which was in his own handwriting, to make sure.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading AN OFFICE SEEKER AND A CLIENT "Well, little girl, what are you doing here?"
