used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
authorsnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
Books-A-Million
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
bookstoresnounUS /ˈbʊkstɔːrz/
plural of “bookstore” — a shop where books are sold
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
citiesnounUS /ˈsɪtiz/
plural of “city” — a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
dedicatedadjectiveUS /ˈdedəkeɪtəd/
devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
give a description of
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
past form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
the act of giving
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
coins made of gold
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
Haute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
headedadjectiveUS /ˈhedəd/
having a heading or course in a certain direction
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
Hulman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
I'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
IndiananounUS /ˌɪndiˈænə/
a state in midwestern United States
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
InstituteverbUS /ˈɪnstətuːt/
set up or lay the groundwork for
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
intentlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtentli/
with strained or eager attention
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
knowledgeableadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːlədʒəbəl/
highly educated; having extensive information or understanding
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
namingnounUS /ˈneɪmɪŋ/
the verbal act of naming
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading As I stared intently at the shelves, a clerk asked me if I needed any help.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
suitcasenounUS /ˈsuːtkeɪs/
a portable rectangular container for carrying clothes
From this reading The store was next to my hotel and I really needed some reading material -- I'd been on the road for a solid month and I'd read everything in my suitcase, and I had another five cities to go before I headed home.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
tastesnounUS /teɪsts/
plural of “taste” — the sensation that results when taste buds in the tongue and throat convey information about the chemical composition of a soluble stimulus
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
TechnologynounUS /tekˈnɑːlədʒi/
the application of the knowledge and usage of tools (such as machines or utensils) and techniques to control one's environment
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
Terre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
USAnounUS /ˌjuːeˈseɪ/
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading [[This chapter is dedicated to Books-A-Million, a chain of gigantic bookstores spread across the USA.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
the vertical force exerted by a mass as a result of gravity
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I first encountered Books-A-Million while staying at a hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana (I was giving a speech at the Rose Hulman Institute of Technology later that day).
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading Now, I've worked at bookstores before, and a knowledgeable clerk is worth her weight in gold, so I said sure, and started to describe my tastes, naming authors I'd enjoyed.
