used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
eagerly desirous
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
a state at a particular time
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
travel across or pass over
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
desperatelyadverbUS /ˈdespərətli/
with great urgency
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
a social unit living together
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
set up or found
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
grufflyadverbUS /ˈɡrʌfli/
in a gruff manner
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
insultnounUS /ˌɪnˈsʌlt/
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
justifyverbUS /ˈdʒʌstəfaɪ/
show to be right by providing justification or proof
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
KILLSnounUS /kɪlz/
plural of “kill” — the act of terminating a life
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
in the recent past
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
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 When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
MORRISnounUS /ˈmɔːrəs/
United States suffragist in Wyoming (1814-1902)
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
and nothing more
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
partakeverbUS /pɑːrˈteɪk/
have some of the qualities or attributes of something
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
Porter'snounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
possessive form of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
To recall to mind.
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
tea-time
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF MORRIS--HE NEARLY KILLS LITTLE HARRY.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
at the time that
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
which person or people
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading When Morris arrived at his home after he left Porter's, he found tea ready, and his wife and children about to partake of it.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When he entered, the children, who were always anxious as to the condition of their father, discovered immediately that he was in a state which would cause him to be on the alert to discover some slight or insult which would justify him in being cross.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Why did you not wait tea for me?" he asked gruffly; "you must have been desperately hungry when you could not wait for a few moments."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Now, Henry," answered his wife, "you know it is an hour after our regular tea-time; and I am sure, if you will only think of it, you will remember that lately you have been very irregular in your habits.
