used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
afternoonsnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/
plural of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
causing or capable of causing death
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
clear to the mind; with distinct mental discernment
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
HoustonnounUS /ˈhjuːstən/
the largest city in Texas; located in southeastern Texas near the Gulf of Mexico; site of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
intolerableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɑːlərəbəl/
incapable of being tolerated or endured
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
Lone-Rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
the location of something surrounded by other things
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
monotonynounUS /məˈnɑːtəni/
the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
Moredock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She felt that she could not endure the deadly monotony of Lone-Rock another day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
many times at short intervals
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
phonographnounUS /ˈfoʊnəɡræf/
machine in which rotating records cause a stylus to vibrate and the vibrations are amplified acoustically or electronically
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
the act of having and controlling property
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
quick-step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
recordsnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdz/
plural of “record” — anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
express in words
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
plural of “scene” — the place where some action occurs
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
sewedadjectiveUS /soʊd/
fastened with stitches
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
not in physical motion
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
move an implement through
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading One of them was a quick-step that the military band had often played at Fort Sam Houston, and as Mary listened an intolerable longing for stir and excitement took possession of her.
under normal conditions
From this reading Usually she had much to say as they sat and sewed through the long still afternoons, but to-day the music claimed her attention.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading She wanted to be back in the midst of people and constantly changing scenes.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
in or at the place that
From this reading A DESERT OF WAITING It was so still on the porch where Mary and her mother sat sewing that warm May afternoon that they could distinctly hear the Moredock phonograph, playing some new records over and over.
