used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
Agnes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My last term at school, Agnes!"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "My last term at school, Agnes!"
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
bustlenounUS /ˈbʌsəl/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
dintnounUS /dɪnt/
interchangeable with “means” in the expression “by means of”
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
at any time
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
gratefullyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪtfəli/
with appreciation; in a grateful manner
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
holidaynounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪ/
leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
hurryingadjectiveUS /ˈhɜːriɪŋ/
moving with great haste
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
imperceptiblyadverbUS /ˌɪmpərˈseptɪbli/
in an imperceptible manner or to an imperceptible degree
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
and nothing more
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
immediately past
From this reading "My last term at school, Agnes!"
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My last term at school, Agnes!"
immediately following in time or order
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
not any; not one
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
on one occasion
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
an educational institution
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading But by dint of a little hurrying, and a decidedly short meal for the boys, they really did start in time.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
a word or expression used for some particular thing
From this reading "My last term at school, Agnes!"
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
an acknowledgment of appreciation
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
up to a particular time
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
at the time that
From this reading _THE MAGIC OF LOVE._ The next morning everything was bustle till the boys were off; for imperceptibly they had got a little later during holiday time, and on this first day of school they discovered it, in finding no breakfast ready when they came down.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Now here we are once more," said Agnes with a deep sigh, gazing round on the room, which looked ever so much more empty than if her brothers had just started for an ordinary walk.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Thanks to you girls," said John gratefully, as he caught up his books and ran off.
