used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
alteredadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərd/
changed in form or character without becoming something else
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "How's the cook, the stove, and the supper?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading This was the invariable greeting between husband and wife.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading "How's the cook, the stove, and the supper?"
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
put on clothes
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
elbowsnounUS /ˈelboʊz/
plural of “elbow” — hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
opinion or judgment
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
garagenounUS /ɡərˈɑːʒ/
an outbuilding (or part of a building) for housing automobiles
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
greetingnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋ/
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading This was the invariable greeting between husband and wife.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
How's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How's the cook, the stove, and the supper?"
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading This was the invariable greeting between husband and wife.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
impertinentadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɜːrtənənt/
characterized by a lightly pert and exuberant quality
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
inspirationnounUS /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/
arousal of the mind to special unusual activity or creativity
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
invariableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈveriəbəl/
not liable to or capable of change
From this reading This was the invariable greeting between husband and wife.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
neatnessnounUS /ˈniːtnəs/
the state of being neat and smart and trim
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
noisilyadverbUS /ˈnɔɪzəli/
with much noise or loud and unpleasant sound
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
held or filled or in use
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
ovennounUS /ˈʌvən/
kitchen appliance used for baking or roasting
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
past form of “push” — move with force
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
saucepannounUS /ˈsɔːspæn/
a deep pan with a handle; used for stewing or boiling
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading "How's the cook, the stove, and the supper?"
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading "How's the cook, the stove, and the supper?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the invariable greeting between husband and wife.
Tims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was the invariable greeting between husband and wife.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I "Well," cried Tims, one Saturday night, as he pushed open the kitchen door of the little flat he occupied over the garage.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Tims went up behind her, gripped her elbows to her side, and kissed her noisily.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading This was the invariable greeting between husband and wife.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading "I'm busy," said Mrs. Tims, a little, fair woman, with blue eyes, an impertinent nose, and the inspiration of neatness in her dress, as she altered the position of a saucepan on the stove and put two plates into the oven to warm.
