used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
breakfast-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
rid of obstructions
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
CopleynounUS /ˈkɑːpli/
American painter who did portraits of Paul Revere and John Hancock before fleeing to England to avoid the American Revolution (1738-1815)
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
epistlenounUS /ɪˈpɪsəl/
a specially long, formal letter
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
forbiddingadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
FosterverbUS /ˈfɑːstər/
promote the growth of
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
greasyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːsi/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
the literary culture
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
not one, and not any
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
pitchingnounUS /ˈpɪtʃɪŋ/
(baseball) playing the position of pitcher on a baseball team
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
repulsive-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
unsteadyadjectiveUS /ənˈstedi/
subject to change or variation
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then he picked up a repulsive-looking envelope that lay by the side of his plate.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading DRIVING IT HOME Copley sat at the breakfast-table waiting for Foster to come down.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The envelope was greasy and forbidding, though the handwriting upon it was fairly neat and clear, if a trifle unsteady.
at the time that
From this reading Copley was on the point of pitching it into the fire, feeling pretty sure it was something in the nature of a begging epistle, when he changed his mind and opened it.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had glanced impatiently through his letters, none of which appeared to be particularly interesting.
