used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
(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 Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading She took me from one summer resort to another.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
a youthful male person
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
coaxverbUS /koʊks/
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
dearly loved
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
effusiveadjectiveUS /ˈefjuːsɪv/
uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She took me from one summer resort to another.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
immediately past
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
take in marriage
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
come together
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading She took me from one summer resort to another.
and nothing more
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading She took me from one summer resort to another.
an educational institution
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
the season of growth
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading She took me from one summer resort to another.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She took me from one summer resort to another.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Finally he arrived and began the very first evening he was with us to coax me to marry him.
precisely as stated
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading All the time she kept talking about 'dear Herbert' and telling how wonderful he was and how he had grown to be 'such a dear boy.'
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "IT was not until last spring that she sent for me to come home," went on Betty, "and was very effusive about how much she needed me and how she was so much better, and meant to be a real mother to me now, helping me see the world and have a good time.
a late time of life
From this reading Of course it was pleasant after having been shut up in school all those years, but she kept me close with her all the time, and I met only the people she chose to have me meet.
