used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
chancesnounUS /ˈtʃænsəz/
plural of “chance” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
disappointingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
not up to expectations
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
entitledadjectiveUS /enˈtaɪtəld/
qualified for by right according to law
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
only a very short time before
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
the literary culture
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
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 For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
information about recent and important events
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
relativesnounUS /ˈrelətɪvz/
plural of “relative” — a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Though she had hoped, since hearing from the law firm, that she might be entitled to some money, Helen had always been careful not to hope too much.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "For I don't want to be badly disappointed," she told Joe.
a message informing of danger
From this reading A WARNING Helen could hardly believe the good news.
(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," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading For the answers he received from the letters he wrote concerning his mother's relatives in England were disappointing.
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading "Well," he remarked, "I wish my chances were as good as yours."
