used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
make an addition (to); join or combine or unite with others; increase the quality, quantity, size or scope of
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
balancingnounUS /ˈbælənsɪŋ/
getting two things to correspond
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
coinverbUS /kɔɪn/
make up
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
coins made of gold
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
long-cherished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
take the midday meal
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
the middle of the day
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
Philippa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
restaurantnounUS /ˈrestərɑːnt/
a building where people go to eat
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
having a supporting base
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
tissue-paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "I'm afraid it isn't safe to send it that way," he said to himself, balancing the letter on two fingers.
walletnounUS /ˈwɔːlət/
a pocket-size case for holding papers and paper money
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The next day at noon, after a hurried lunch at the restaurant, Alec stopped at the post-office on his way back to the factory.
be dressed in
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
what's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It is so heavy that any one could guess what's in it, and it might wear through.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
wrappingnounUS /ˈræpɪŋ/
the covering (usually paper or cellophane) in which something is wrapped
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading He wanted to add a few lines to the birthday letter which he had written Philippa the night before.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading He wrote them standing at the public desk; then, drawing the old wallet from his pocket, he took out the long-cherished gold coin from its wrapping of tissue-paper and dropped it into the envelope.
