afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
commandsnounUS /kəˈmændz/
plural of “command” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading "I have no doubt of it," said the old gentleman, kindly.
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
a man of refinement
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I have no doubt of it," said the old gentleman, kindly.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading "I have no doubt of it," said the old gentleman, kindly.
the literary culture
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
a form of address for a man
From this reading MR.
not any; not one
From this reading "I have no doubt of it," said the old gentleman, kindly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
Percival
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
PERCIVAL'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
promptlyadverbUS /ˈprɑːmptli/
with little or no delay
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
PROPOSALnounUS /prəˈpoʊzəl/
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
thoughtfullyadverbUS /ˈθɔːtfəli/
in a thoughtful manner
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
precisely as stated
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "I shall be very glad to serve you in any way, Mr. Percival," said Frank, promptly.
the act of creating written works
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The old gentleman answered thoughtfully: "I have been thinking of asking you to do me an unusual service."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading PERCIVAL'S PROPOSAL One morning, after writing several letters for his employer, the young secretary asked Mr. Percival if he had any further commands.
