used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
apologynounUS /əˈpɑːlədʒiː/
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
ChambersnounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbərz/
English architect (1723-1796)
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
graciouslyadverbUS /ˈɡreɪʃəsli/
in a gracious or graceful manner
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
and nothing more
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
not any; not one
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
To recall to mind.
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
express in words
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
Slow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
express in words
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Her aunt spoke to her somewhat more graciously than on the preceding evening, and accepted her apology for being late.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
at the time that
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Just as she was about to start Lady Ball took her apart and spoke one word to her.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Mr Slow's Chambers She came down late to breakfast on the following morning, not being present at prayers, and when she came down she wore a bonnet.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I got myself ready, John, for fear I should keep you waiting."
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "No one can tell you better what you ought to do than your cousin John; but pray remember that he is far too generous to say a word for himself."
