used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
ALONGprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
the two together, not just one
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
brazenadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪzən/
unrestrained by convention or propriety
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
lacking funds
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
CairnsnounUS /kernz/
plural of “cairn” — a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/
a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
a relation between things or events (as in the case of one causing the other or sharing features with it)
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “How could one help it?
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
past form of “fold” — bend or lay so that one part covers the other
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
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 It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
gongnounUS /ɡɔːŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading “How could one help it?
HELPINGnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “How could one help it?
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
Jerry'snounUS /ˈdʒeriz/
possessive form of “jerry” — offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
Leslie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
the literary culture
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
Marjorie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
on one occasion
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “How could one help it?
the time that has elapsed
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
performancesnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmənsəz/
plural of “performance” — a dramatic or musical entertainment
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
by chance
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
pertinentadjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrtɪnɪnt/
having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
portfolionounUS /pɔːrtˈfoʊlioʊ/
a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
postponingverbUS /poʊstˈpoʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “postpone” — hold back to a later time
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
Remson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
any nonverbal action or gesture that encodes a message
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
surmiseverbUS /sərˈmaɪz/
infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
tuckedadjectiveUS /tʌkt/
having tucked or being tucked
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
unfairadjectiveUS /ənˈfer/
not fair; marked by injustice or partiality or deception
From this reading “Perhaps it’s been unfair in me to judge her by past performances.”
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
a message informing of danger
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a signal which called for postponing further conjecture in the matter.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “I’ve thought of Leslie Cairns more than once, Jerry, in connection with both those letters,” Marjorie confessed as Jerry took the letters Marjorie had carefully examined, folded them and tucked them into a small leather portfolio.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading HELPING THE GOOD WORK ALONG The warning, brazen voice of the dinner gong, which Miss Remson rang but once before each meal, broke in upon Jerry’s pertinent surmise.
