used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
(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 "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading His eyes were just as honest; he was altogether just as fine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
from appearances alone
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
CanadianadjectiveUS /kəˈneɪdiən/
of or relating to Canada or its people
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
ChopverbUS /tʃɑːp/
cut into pieces
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
crowdingnounUS /ˈkraʊdɪŋ/
a situation in which people or things are crowded together
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
at any time
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His eyes were just as honest; he was altogether just as fine.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading His eyes were just as honest; he was altogether just as fine.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
hatedadjectiveUS /ˈheɪtəd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading His eyes were just as honest; he was altogether just as fine.
ten 10s
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
and nothing more
From this reading His eyes were just as honest; he was altogether just as fine.
the literary culture
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
come together
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
military-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
pourverbUS /pɔːr/
cause to run
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
receptionnounUS /rɪˈsepʃən/
the manner in which something is greeted
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
repeatingnounUS /rɪˈpiːtɪŋ/
the act of doing or performing again
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
Identical; not different.
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
only a very short time before
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
talleradjectiveUS /ˈtɔːlər/
comparative of “tall” — great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
a special situation
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
two times
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
unassumingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈsuːmɪŋ/
not arrogant or presuming
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
usheringverbUS /ˈʌʃərɪŋ/
-ing form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
precisely as stated
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
water-wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His eyes were just as honest; he was altogether just as fine.
which person or people
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Now that he was here he was an officer, apparently an inch or two taller than ever--a very military-looking officer, much as he hated it--with women crowding around to pour tea for him, ushering their daughters along to meet him.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading He wrote little of the war, and much about the country, repeating in a hundred ways between the lines his need of her.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading In his letters to Ruth, Billy had been the same unassuming young Canadian who could find an interest in working every night for a week on so common a thing as a water-wheel; he scarcely seemed a soldier at all.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "_Chop your own wood and it will warm you twice._" It was all a mistake, somehow, the reception.
