used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Nobody wants any of our improvements.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
ArtesianadjectiveUS /ˌɑːrˈtiːʒən/
(of water) rising to the surface under internal hydrostatic pressure
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
asksverbUS /æsks/
third-person singular of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
believesverbUS /bɪˈliːvz/
third-person singular of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
brutenounUS /bruːt/
a cruelly rapacious person
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
drainsnounUS /dreɪnz/
plural of “drain” — emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
gravelnounUS /ˈɡrævəl/
rock fragments and pebbles
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
improvementsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənts/
plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading Nobody wants any of our improvements.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
John'snounUS /dʒɑːnz/
possessive form of “john” — a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
jumpsnounUS /dʒʌmps/
plural of “jump” — a sudden and decisive increase
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
staying power
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
ma'amnounUS /mæm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
a particular point in time
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
express in words
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
sniffsnounUS /snɪfs/
plural of “sniff” — sensing an odor by inhaling through the nose
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
the state of being covered with unclean things
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
solidlyadverbUS /ˈsɑːlədli/
as an undiversified whole
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Nobody believes in our gravel soil and our south aspect.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
suspiciouslyadverbUS /səˈspɪʃəsli/
with suspicion
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading Nobody wants any of our improvements.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
(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 The moment they hear of John’s Artesian well, they look as if they never drank water.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Some brute of a man asks, ‘Are you quite sure this house is solidly built, ma’am?’--and jumps on the floor at the full stretch of his legs, without waiting for me to reply.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
wretchnounUS /retʃ/
performs some wicked deed
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
an affirmative
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Some wretch of a woman says, ‘Do you think the drains are right?’--and sniffs suspiciously, before I can say Yes.
