used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
(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 The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
CORRESPONDENCEnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈspɑːndəns/
communication by the exchange of letters
From this reading CORRESPONDENCE.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
delinquentadjectiveUS /dɪˈlɪŋkwənt/
guilty of a misdeed
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
direadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
ExcelsiornounUS /ɪkˈselsiər/
thin curly wood shavings used for packing or stuffing
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
exclusionnounUS /ɪkˈskluːʒən/
the state of being excluded
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
exposeverbUS /ɪkˈspoʊz/
expose or make accessible to some action or influence
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
institutionnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/
an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
have in mind as a purpose
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
letter-box
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
Letter-writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
the literary culture
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
and nothing more
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/
the state of being in effect or being operative
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
OscarnounUS /ˈɔːskər/
an annual award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for achievements in motion picture production and performance
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
patronizedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪtrənaɪzd/
having patronage or clients
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
penaltynounUS /ˈpenəlti/
the act of punishing
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
established beyond doubt
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
regularlyadverbUS /ˈreɡjələrli/
in a regular manner
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
requiresverbUS /riˈkwaɪərz/
third-person singular of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
Ronald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
express in words
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I do not intend to expose the delinquent, but justice requires me to say it was neither Oscar nor Ronald.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
being of use or service
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The letter-box was regularly patronized by all its members, but one of them having brought upon himself the dire penalty of exclusion from it, and he for only a single day.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading THE “Excelsior Letter-writing Society” had now been in operation several weeks, and had thus far proved a popular and useful institution.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
writersnounUS /ˈraɪtərz/
plural of “writer” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The letters which passed through the domestic post office were as various as the writers and their moods.
