used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/
plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
(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 As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
subject to appointment
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
a social unit living together
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
punctualadjectiveUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːəl/
acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
one of four equal parts
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
remarkablyadverbUS /rɪˈmɑːrkəbli/
to a remarkable degree or extent
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading To which his reply was, "A quarter of an hour!
retirementnounUS /riˈtaɪərmənt/
the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
RulesnounUS /ruːlz/
plural of “rule” — a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
Sidenote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
studiesnounUS /ˈstʌdiz/
plural of “study” — a detailed critical inspection
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Is a quarter of an hour nothing to a man that probably has days not many hours to live?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
two times
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As he was remarkably punctual and regular in all his studies and actions, so he used himself to be for his meals.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading To which his reply was, "A quarter of an hour!
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading [Sidenote: Rules and habits] He, in this retirement, had the Church prayers read in his chamber twice every day; and at nine at night, some prayers read to him and a part of his family out of "The Whole Duty of Man."
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading And his dinner being appointed to be constantly ready at the ending of prayers, and he expecting and calling for it, was answered, "It would be ready in a quarter of an hour."
