used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Don't tease her any more, Matthew," pleaded Mrs. Reardon.
move towards
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
Bessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading COMING SHADOWS.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't tease her any more, Matthew," pleaded Mrs. Reardon.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
at any time
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
usually; as a rule
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
MatthewnounUS /ˈmæθjuː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Don't tease her any more, Matthew," pleaded Mrs. Reardon.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "Don't tease her any more, Matthew," pleaded Mrs. Reardon.
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/
past form of “plead” — appeal or request earnestly
From this reading "Don't tease her any more, Matthew," pleaded Mrs. Reardon.
Reardon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't tease her any more, Matthew," pleaded Mrs. Reardon.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
express in words
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries
From this reading COMING SHADOWS.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
spokeswomannounUS /ˈspoʊkswʊmən/
a female spokesperson
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
teaseverbUS /tiːz/
annoy persistently
From this reading "Don't tease her any more, Matthew," pleaded Mrs. Reardon.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I can't say that I ever did," replied her father.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
timidlyadverbUS /ˈtɪmədli/
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
which person or people
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
wistfullyadverbUS /ˈwɪstfəli/
in a wistful manner
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs
From this reading A FEW evenings after this conversation, Matthew having finished his task somewhat earlier than usual, little Bessie, who generally acted as spokeswoman, ventured to approach him, and ask timidly whether he had ever seen a wolf.
showing curiosity
From this reading Bessie looked wistfully into his face with round wondering eyes.
