used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
having companions or an escort
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
Queen of England and Scotland and Ireland; daughter if James II and the last of the Stuart monarchs; in 1707 she was the last English ruler to exercise the royal veto over parliament (1665-1714)
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The next second she dismissed the thought as unworthy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
according with custom or propriety
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
lacking funds
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
buttonedadjectiveUS /ˈbʌtənd/
furnished or closed with buttons or something buttonlike
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
dismissedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmɪst/
having lost your job
From this reading The next second she dismissed the thought as unworthy.
dispiritingadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɪrɪtɪŋ/
destructive of morale and self-reliance
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
doublyadverbUS /ˈdʌbli/
to double the degree
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
drearyadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪri/
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
infinitelyadverbUS /ˈɪnfənətli/
without bounds
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
immediately past
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
plural of “look” — the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
moaningverbUS /ˈmoʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
Pierson's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
PromptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
raincoatnounUS /ˈreɪnkoʊt/
a water-resistant coat
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
rawadjectiveUS /rɑː/
(used especially of commodities) being unprocessed or manufactured using only simple or minimal processes
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
repressverbUS /riˈpres/
put down by force or intimidation
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
cut with a saw
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
SaxonnounUS /ˈsæksən/
a member of a Germanic people who conquered England and merged with the Angles and Jutes to become Anglo-Saxons; dominant in England until the Norman Conquest
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The next second she dismissed the thought as unworthy.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The next second she dismissed the thought as unworthy.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
sullenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌlən/
showing a brooding ill humor
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
swingverbUS /swɪŋ/
move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The next second she dismissed the thought as unworthy.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
thrillnounUS /θrɪl/
the swift release of a store of affective force
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
very small
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
male cat
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/
a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
underwentverbUS /ˌʌndərˈwent/
inflected form of “undergo” — pass through
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
unworthyadjectiveUS /ənˈwɜːrði/
lacking in value or merit
From this reading The next second she dismissed the thought as unworthy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His black raincoat, buttoned up to his chin, was infinitely becoming to his fair Saxon type of good looks, and Grace could not repress a tiny thrill of satisfaction that this strong, handsome man cared for her.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading Heavy, sullen clouds dropped low in the sky, and by four o'clock that afternoon a raw, dispiriting winter rain had set in, accompanied by a moaning wind that made the day seem doubly dreary.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Promptly at four o'clock Grace saw Tom swing up the walk without an umbrella.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading THE LAST WORD While Anne Pierson's wedding day had dawned with a light snow on the ground, the weather underwent a considerable change during the night, and the next morning broke, gray and threatening.
