used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
any person at all
From this reading 'Was anybody as happy as he?
any person at all
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
areanounUS /ˈeriə/
a particular geographical region of indefinite boundary (usually serving some special purpose or distinguished by its people or culture or geography)
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading 'Was anybody as happy as he?
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
Barton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
captureverbUS /ˈkæptʃər/
succeed in representing or expressing something intangible
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
CatsnounUS /kæts/
plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading 'Was anybody as happy as he?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'Was anybody as happy as he?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
past form of “lock” — fasten with a lock
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
a person who loves someone or is loved by someone
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
policemennounUS /pəˈliːsmɪn/
plural of “policeman” — a member of a police force
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
railingsnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋz/
plural of “railing” — a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
ShadesnounUS /ʃeɪdz/
(plural) something that reminds you of someone or something
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
slunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
precisely as stated
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'Was anybody as happy as he?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And what did his happiness mean?' he asked himself.
window-panes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Cats slunk through the area railings; policemen moved from their hiding corners; a lover passed on with his dreams.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
XXInoun
the cardinal number that is the sum of twenty and one
From this reading XXI Mrs. Barton rarely took anyone into her confidence, and her plan for the capture of the Marquis was locked within her breast.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading Shades flitted across yellow window-panes, and he remembered he had received an invitation for this very ball.
