used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
appreciationnounUS /əˌpriːʃiˈeɪʃən/
understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
blusteringadjectiveUS /ˈblʌstərɪŋ/
blowing in violent and abrupt bursts
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
caressnounUS /kərˈes/
a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
a young person of either sex
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Don’t be a fool, but come.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
the act of departing
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don’t be a fool, but come.
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
dudnounUS /dʌd/
someone who is unsuccessful
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
Edna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
Edna's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
evinceverbUS /ɪˈvɪns/
give expression to
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading “Don’t be a fool, but come.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/
plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
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 “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
neuralgianoun
acute spasmodic pain along the course of one or more nerves
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
no person; not anyone
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
on one occasion
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
re-enteredverbUS /ˌriːˈentərd/
past form of “re-enter” — enter again
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
receiptnounUS /rɪˈsiːt/
the act of receiving
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
shouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
TabbynounUS /ˈtæbi/
a cat with a grey or tawny coat mottled with black
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
up to a particular time
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading She should of course visit Edna once any way, in her own house; but to the wedding she shouldn’t go.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading This was her decision till the receipt of a certain letter which came to her within a few days after Edna’s departure, and which changed her intentions at once.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had said it was doubtful whether she went to the wedding or not; in fact she didn’t much believe she should; it would be cold and blustering, and she should get the neuralgia, and be in the way, and nobody would miss an old dud like her.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Nobody now, Tabby, but you and I,” said Aunt Jerry, as she re-entered her lonely house, and taking her cat in her arms, she cried like a child over the dumb creature, which tried in so many ways to evince its appreciation of this unusual caress.
