used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
any person at all
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
without stop or interruption
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
Denis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
cause to move by pulling
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
Eady
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
Ethan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
at any time
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
accept an excuse for
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
a boy or man
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
a young female
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
glaringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlerɪŋ/
shining intensely
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
a brittle transparent solid with irregular atomic structure
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
he's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
of the present time and place
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
set down according to a plan
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
the sound of laughing
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
marryingverbUS /ˈmeriɪŋ/
-ing form of “marry” — take in marriage
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
Mattie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
plaintiveadjectiveUS /ˈpleɪntɪv/
expressing sorrow
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
razornounUS /ˈreɪzər/
edge tool used in shaving
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
self-effacementnoun
withdrawing into the background; making yourself inconspicuous
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
express in speech
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
make steady
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
straightenedverbUS /ˈstreɪtənd/
past form of “straighten” — straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
inflected form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Ethan, glaring at his face in the glass, threw his head back to draw the razor from ear to chin.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His hand was steady, but the attitude was an excuse for not making an immediate reply.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “And the doctor don’t want I should be left without anybody,” Zeena continued.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “He wanted I should speak to you about a girl he’s heard about, that might come—” Ethan laid down the razor and straightened himself with a laugh.
Zeena
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I wouldn’t ever have it said that I stood in the way of a poor girl like Mattie marrying a smart fellow like Denis Eady,” Zeena answered in a tone of plaintive self-effacement.
