used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “You’ve been trying to steal my lobsters.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
callernounUS /ˈkɔːlər/
a social or business visitor
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
Desiré
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You know the penalty for that trick!”
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
a small worthless amount
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading You know the penalty for that trick!”
lobstersnounUS /ˈlɑːbstərz/
plural of “lobster” — flesh of a lobster
From this reading “You’ve been trying to steal my lobsters.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
engage in
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
used to form the superlative
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “You’ve been trying to steal my lobsters.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
penaltynounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading You know the penalty for that trick!”
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
questioninglyadverb
in a curious and questioning manner
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
tending to return to an earlier state
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
stealverbUS /stiːl/
take without the owner's consent
From this reading “You’ve been trying to steal my lobsters.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You know the penalty for that trick!”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “Good morning,” said Jack pleasantly, but looking questioningly at their caller.
a special situation
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading You know the penalty for that trick!”
hard to endure
From this reading “You’ve been trying to steal my lobsters.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading “I most certainly have not done any such thing,” said Jack decidedly, while Desiré twisted her hands in dismay.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading “I’ve a serious charge to make,” answered the newcomer, without returning the greeting.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You know the penalty for that trick!”
You've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’ve been trying to steal my lobsters.
