used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
in the past
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Did you begin your career as a spoon?" asked the sprite.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "At the beginning of my story I was a souvenir spoon," returned the major.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Did you begin your career as a spoon?" asked the sprite.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading "At the beginning of my story I was a souvenir spoon," returned the major.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading "Did you begin your career as a spoon?" asked the sprite.
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Did you begin your career as a spoon?" asked the sprite.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
pleasing in appearance especially by reason of conformity to ideals of form and proportion
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
majoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
MAJOR'SnounUS /ˈmeɪdʒərz/
possessive form of “major” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
From this reading THE MAJOR'S TALE.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "At the beginning of my story I was a souvenir spoon," returned the major.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "At the beginning of my story I was a souvenir spoon," returned the major.
potentatenounUS /ˈpoʊtənteɪt/
a ruler who is unconstrained by law
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
having great power or force or potency or effect
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "At the beginning of my story I was a souvenir spoon," returned the major.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
souvenirnounUS /ˌsuːvəˈnɪr/
something of sentimental value
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
spoonnounUS /spuːn/
a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
spritenounUS /spraɪt/
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading "At the beginning of my story I was a souvenir spoon," returned the major.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE MAJOR'S TALE.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAJOR'S TALE.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
precisely as stated
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
at the time that
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
a late time of life
From this reading "A great many years ago when I was a souvenir spoon," said the major, "I belonged to a very handsome and very powerful potentate."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I didn't quite understand what it was you said you were," said the sprite, bending forward as if to hear better.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Did you begin your career as a spoon?" asked the sprite.
