used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A VISIT OF CEREMONY.
aeroplanenoun
an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Mater,” he laughed, “you certainly are behind the times.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “What does it mean?” she asked placidly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading “Mater,” he laughed, “you certainly are behind the times.”
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading A VISIT OF CEREMONY.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading “Mater,” he laughed, “you certainly are behind the times.”
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What does it mean?” she asked placidly.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
at any time
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “What does it mean?” she asked placidly.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading “Mater,” he laughed, “you certainly are behind the times.”
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
MarshallnounUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
United States actor (1914-1998)
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
MaternounUS /ˈmɑːtər/
an informal use of the Latin word for mother; sometimes used by British schoolboys or used facetiously
From this reading “Mater,” he laughed, “you certainly are behind the times.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
Morey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
MortimernounUS /ˈmɔːrtɪmər/
English nobleman who deposed Edward II and was executed by Edward III (1287-1330)
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A VISIT OF CEREMONY.
placidlyadverbUS /ˈplæsɪdli/
in a quiet and tranquil manner
From this reading “What does it mean?” she asked placidly.
filled with bewilderment
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
cut with a saw
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
in a vehement outcry
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
sternnessnounUS /ˈstɜːrnnəs/
the quality (as of scenery) being grim and gloomy and forbidding
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
express in words
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Mater,” he laughed, “you certainly are behind the times.”
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading “Mater,” he laughed, “you certainly are behind the times.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading A VISIT OF CEREMONY.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
at the time that
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Well, I’ll be--” “Mortimer!” exclaimed Mrs. Marshall with as much sternness as she ever used.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “You don’t mean to tell me you don’t know what ‘aeroplane’ means?” almost shouted Morey, when he saw from his mother’s look that she was puzzled.
