used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
(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 I have had so many calls that my money is all used up.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “Well,” answered Gus, “I can’t pay you this month.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
a youthful male person
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
plural of “call” — a telephone connection
From this reading I have had so many calls that my money is all used up.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well,” answered Gus, “I can’t pay you this month.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
cause to herd, drive, or crowd together
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
customersnounUS /ˈkʌstəmərz/
plural of “customer” — someone who pays for goods or services
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
GusnounUS /ɡʌs/
plural of “gu” — the largest and southernmost island in the Marianas which is administered as a territory of the United States; it was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I have had so many calls that my money is all used up.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
and nothing more
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
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 I have had so many calls that my money is all used up.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading I have had so many calls that my money is all used up.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading “Well,” answered Gus, “I can’t pay you this month.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
overcoatnounUS /ˈoʊvərkoʊt/
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading “Well,” answered Gus, “I can’t pay you this month.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
ramrodnounUS /ˈræmrɑːd/
a rod used to ram the charge into a muzzle-loading firearm
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
express in speech
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading I have had so many calls that my money is all used up.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
at the time that
From this reading “Well?” said Sam, when the boy came out of the office and took his place behind the counter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I was in hopes we should be kept so busy this afternoon that Sam wouldn’t have a chance to speak to me,” thought Gus, as he made his way to the office and hung up his hat and overcoat, “but it is just my luck.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If I wanted a few minutes rest the store would be so full of customers that you couldn’t crowd a ramrod in among them.”
