used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Nina appeared when I was about to call you," said Maseden quietly.
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
any thing at all
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
at or in or to any place
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Nina appeared when I was about to call you," said Maseden quietly.
applesnounUS /ˈæpəlz/
plural of “apple” — fruit with red or yellow or green skin and sweet to tart crisp whitish flesh
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
the two together, not just one
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
confined by bonds
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
butted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Nina appeared when I was about to call you," said Maseden quietly.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
cluenounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
discussionnounUS /dɪˈskʌʃən/
an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
DOWRYnounUS /ˈdaʊri/
money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
GeenounUS /dʒiː/
a unit of force equal to the force exerted by gravity; used to indicate the force to which a body is subjected when it is accelerated
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
heart-to-heartnoun
an intimate talk in private
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
joshverbUS /dʒɑːʃ/
be silly or tease one another
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
Maseden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
NinanounUS /ˈniːnə/
the Babylonian goddess of the watery deep and daughter of Ea
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
a brief written record
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
many times at short intervals
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
orchardnounUS /ˈɔːrtʃərd/
garden consisting of a small cultivated wood without undergrowth
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
with low volume
From this reading "Nina appeared when I was about to call you," said Maseden quietly.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Nina appeared when I was about to call you," said Maseden quietly.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
SorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
Sturgess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
carry out
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
tongued-tied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DOWRY Both Maseden and Nina looked and felt like tongued-tied children, and Sturgess was not slow to note their confusion.
at the time that
From this reading "Nina appeared when I was about to call you," said Maseden quietly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading "Sorry, Nina, if I've butted in on a heart-to-heart talk, but it's not often I can josh our wise Alec, so I'm bound to take the few chances that come along."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He little knew evidently how closely their talk had concerned him, and the fact that he had not overheard anything which would supply a clue to the topic under discussion was, in itself, a great relief.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Gee, if there was an orchard anywhere around, I'd think you two had been stealing apples," he cried.
