used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
be in accord; be in agreement
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
(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 I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
any thing at all
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I’m not so silly and weak as you think.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
for the reason that
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
bendingnounUS /ˈbendɪŋ/
movement that causes the formation of a curve
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
blushverbUS /blʌʃ/
turn red, as if in embarrassment or shame
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
recognizable; marked
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
the act of giving
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
come to pass
From this reading There’s no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’m not so silly and weak as you think.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
and nothing more
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading There’s no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There’s no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”
MegnounUS /meɡ/
the number that is represented as a one followed by 6 zeros
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
needn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
not any; not one
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
plannedadjectiveUS /plænd/
designed or carried out according to a plan
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading There’s no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
express in words
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
ludicrous, foolish
From this reading “I’m not so silly and weak as you think.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I’m not so silly and weak as you think.
express in speech
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
speaksverbUS /spiːks/
third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There’s no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “I’m not so silly and weak as you think.
up to a particular time
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
unawaresadverbUS /ˌʌnəˈwerz/
without forethought or plan; inadvertently
From this reading I know just what I should say, for I’ve planned it all, so I needn’t be taken unawares.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
wanting in physical strength
From this reading “I’m not so silly and weak as you think.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading There’s no knowing what may happen, and I wished to be prepared.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “If he did speak, you wouldn’t know what to say, but would cry or blush, or let him have his own way, instead of giving a good, decided no.”
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “I can’t say anything till he speaks, and he won’t, because Father said I was too young,” began Meg, bending over her work with a queer little smile, which suggested that she did not quite agree with her father on that point.
