used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
how long something has existed
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
AnthonynounUS /ˈænθəni/
Roman general under Julius Caesar in the Gallic wars; repudiated his wife for the Egyptian queen Cleopatra; they were defeated by Octavian at Actium (83-30 BC)
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was plainly furnished, but looked comfortable.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
chieflyadverbUS /ˈtʃiːfli/
for the most part
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
providing or experiencing physical well-being or relief (“comfy” is informal)
From this reading It was plainly furnished, but looked comfortable.
consistingverbUS /kənˈsɪstɪŋ/
-ing form of “consist” — originate
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
a small house with a single story
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
earningsnounUS /ˈɜːrnɪŋz/
the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
provided with whatever is necessary for a purpose (as furniture or equipment or authority)
From this reading It was plainly furnished, but looked comfortable.
gunningverbUS /ˈɡʌnɪŋ/
inflected form of “gun” — shoot with a gun
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
incomenounUS /ˈɪnkʌm/
the financial gain (earned or unearned) accruing over a given period of time
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was plainly furnished, but looked comfortable.
set down according to a plan
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It was plainly furnished, but looked comfortable.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
MARK'SnounUS /mɑːrks/
possessive form of “mark” — a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading It was plainly furnished, but looked comfortable.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
rheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/
any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
scantyadjectiveUS /ˈskænti/
lacking in magnitude or quantity
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
surmountedadjectiveUS /sərˈmaʊntɪd/
having something on top
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading MARK'S home was a small cottage of a story and a half, surmounted by a sloping roof.
(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 His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
which person or people
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading His mother was a pleasant looking woman of middle age, who managed well their scanty income, consisting chiefly of Mark's earnings.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, mother; I went out gunning, and did an errand for old Anthony, who is laid up with the rheumatism in his cabin."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you not later than usual, Mark?" she inquired.
