used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
(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 We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
any thing at all
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
botherverbUS /ˈbɑːðər/
take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
fasteradverbUS /ˈfæstər/
more quickly
From this reading The faster we ran the more surprised we felt.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading The faster we ran the more surprised we felt.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
the act of departing
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
come to pass
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
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 But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
ministersnounUS /ˈmɪnəstərz/
plural of “minister” — a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The faster we ran the more surprised we felt.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
a human being
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
preachverbUS /priːtʃ/
deliver a sermon
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
preachesverbUS /ˈpriːtʃɪz/
third-person singular of “preach” — deliver a sermon
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The faster we ran the more surprised we felt.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
precisely, exactly
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
a thing, without saying which
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading The faster we ran the more surprised we felt.
express in words
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The faster we ran the more surprised we felt.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The faster we ran the more surprised we felt.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
at the time that
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
which person or people
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If you didn't think the person who made the book was going to tell you something that you didn't know before you wouldn't bother to read it.
the act of creating written works
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading When you _read_ a book, of course, you expect to be surprised.
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But when you're _writing_ a book it doesn't seem exactly as though so many unexpected things ought to happen to you!
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading We were pretty glad when we ran right into the Old Minister who preaches sometimes when all the young ministers can't think of anything more to preach about.
