used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
speak to
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
(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 On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
BECKY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
COMMENCESverbUS /kəˈmensəz/
third-person singular of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
a special loved one
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
dearly loved
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
FRED
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
maid-of-all-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
overjoyedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈdʒɔɪd/
extremely joyful
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
approval to do something
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
a human being
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
postedadjectiveUS /ˈpoʊstɪd/
publicly displayed
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
reluctantadjectiveUS /rɪˈlʌktənt/
unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
representedadjectiveUS /ˌreprɪˈzentɪd/
represented accurately or precisely
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
cut with a saw
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
suspiciouslyadverbUS /səˈspɪʃəsli/
with suspicion
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was short, but I was overjoyed when the man at the post office gave it to me.
at the time that
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He looked at me suspiciously, having a doubt whether I was the person I represented myself to be.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH BECKY COMMENCES A LETTER TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
produce a literary work
From this reading I could not write to you before to-day, for the reason that I did not get an address until this morning, when I received your dear letter.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading On the following evening, Becky, the maid-of-all-work, having received a reluctant permission from her mistress to go out until ten o'clock, wrote and posted the following letter:-- * * * * * MY DARLING FRED,--I will now give you an account of all that has passed since I saw your dear face.
