used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
for the reason that
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
brought into existence
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading "Why--hem!--why, certainly, ma'am," replied the doctor.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
dearly loved
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
without doubt; certainly
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/
slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
edication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
enlightenverbUS /ˌenˈlaɪtən/
make understand
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
your parents
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
hemnounUS /hem/
the edge of a piece of cloth; especially the finished edge that has been doubled under and stitched down
From this reading "Why--hem!--why, certainly, ma'am," replied the doctor.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
and nothing more
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
ma'amnounUS /mæm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading "Why--hem!--why, certainly, ma'am," replied the doctor.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
involving the body as distinguished from the mind or spirit
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Why--hem!--why, certainly, ma'am," replied the doctor.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
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 Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
express in words
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
troublesomeadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/
causing difficulty or annoyance
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Dear me," remarked the woman, "just see what it is to have a physical edication!
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why--hem!--why, certainly, ma'am," replied the doctor.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Doubtless the old woman in this story from the London Post will now be able to enlighten her husband on a troublesome subject.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading "It is because they come into the world without power of speech."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Doctor," she inquired of a country physician, "can you tell me how it is that some folks be born dumb?"
