the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She knocked twice before an answer came.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
react verbally
From this reading She hoped Miss Hart would answer the door.
eagerly desirous
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She knocked twice before an answer came.
caller'snounUS /ˈkɔːlərz/
possessive form of “caller” — a social or business visitor
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She knocked twice before an answer came.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She hoped Miss Hart would answer the door.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
Forbes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
Gussie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
HartnounUS /hɑːrt/
United States playwright who collaborated with George S. Kaufman (1904-1961)
From this reading She hoped Miss Hart would answer the door.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading She hoped Miss Hart would answer the door.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading She knocked twice before an answer came.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading She hoped Miss Hart would answer the door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
express in words
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She hoped Miss Hart would answer the door.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
two times
From this reading She knocked twice before an answer came.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Having something of importance to say, Marjorie was anxious to say it and close the subject.
Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Were Gussie to do so she might easily close the door in her caller’s face.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
showing curiosity
From this reading Marjorie started down the hall on her difficult errand, wondering what to say first to Gussie Forbes.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She hoped Miss Hart would answer the door.
