used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
in actual fact
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
(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 Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
on or to one side
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
a person who is in charge
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
contemplatedverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪd/
past form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
usually; as a rule
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
hatsnounUS /hæts/
plural of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
Higgledy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
hindnounUS /haɪnd/
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
inrushnoun
an inflow
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
Irene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
Josie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
launderedverbUS /ˈlɔːndərd/
past form of “launder” — cleanse with a cleaning agent, such as soap, and water
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
Lonsdale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
mendverbUS /mend/
restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
of an obscure nature
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
Piggledies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
pilesnounUS /paɪlz/
venous swelling external or internal to the anal sphincter
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
pricelessadjectiveUS /ˈpraɪsləs/
having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
move hurridly
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
the season of growth
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a rush of orders for Higgledy Piggledies generally.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
the upper part of anything
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
treatersnounUS /ˈtriːtərz/
plural of “treater” — someone who negotiates (confers with others in order to reach a settlement)
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
typingnounUS /ˈtaɪpɪŋ/
writing done with a typewriter
From this reading Elizabeth had piles of typing on hand, Irene must mend some priceless lace that was to be laundered by Josie, and Josie, on top of all the other things that must be attended to, had a call from Chief Lonsdale that caused her to put her hat on hind part before and actually run to his office.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE The day was a busy one.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading At five o’clock, work was put aside and there was an inrush of treaters.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Spring hats were being contemplated by old and young.
