used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
arrangementsnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənts/
plural of “arrangement” — the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
BEDFELLOWnounUS /ˈbedfeloʊ/
a temporary associate
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
cordiallyadverbUS /ˈkɔːrdʒəli/
in a hearty manner
From this reading We embraced the suggestion cordially.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
couriernounUS /ˈkɜːriər/
a person who carries a message
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
courteouslyadverb
in a polite manner
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
DAPHNEnounUS /ˈdæfni/
any of several ornamental shrubs with shiny mostly evergreen leaves and clusters of small bell-shaped flowers
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
deprivedadjectiveUS /dɪˈpraɪvd/
marked by deprivation especially of the necessities of life or healthful environmental influences
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
eleventhadjectiveUS /ɪˈlevənθ/
coming next after the tenth and just before the twelfth in position
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
embracedverbUS /emˈbreɪst/
past form of “embrace” — include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory
From this reading We embraced the suggestion cordially.
excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
festively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
imperativeadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈperətɪv/
requiring attention or action
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
IRRESISTIBLEadjectiveUS /ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbəl/
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
engage in
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
a course of conduct
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
PiersnounUS /pɪrz/
plural of “pier” — a platform built out from the shore into the water and supported by piles; provides access to ships and boats
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
established beyond doubt
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
RESISTANCEnounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/
the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
restoredverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrd/
past form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
solicitorsnounUS /səˈlɪsətərz/
plural of “solicitor” — a petitioner who solicits contributions or trade or votes
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
SpainnounUS /speɪn/
a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
express in speech
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
successive (without a break)
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
an idea that is suggested
From this reading We embraced the suggestion cordially.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested that all the arrangements should be left in his hands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED IRRESISTIBLE.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an excursion to Spain.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....
