used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
any person at all
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
chatverbUS /tʃæt/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
curiouslyadverbUS /ˈkjʊriəsli/
in a manner differing from the usual or expected
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
accept an excuse for
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
gossipnounUS /ˈɡɑːsəp/
light informal conversation for social occasions
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
intrudeverbUS /ˌɪnˈtruːd/
enter uninvited
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
jinglingadjective
having a series of high-pitched ringing sounds like many small bells
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
licensenounUS /ˈlaɪsəns/
a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
McVeigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
not divisible by two
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
and nothing more
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
go across or through
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
pumpverbUS /pʌmp/
operate like a pump; move up and down, like a handle or a pedal
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
quietudenoun
a state of peace and quiet
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
not often
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
the land along the edge of a body of water
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
sleigh-bells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
the property of being physically or mentally strong
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
tavernnounUS /ˈtævərn/
a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
terminationnounUS /tərməˈneɪʃən/
a coming to an end of a contract period
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
a special situation
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
transferverbUS /trænˈsfɜːr/
transfer somebody to a different position or location of work
From this reading People seldom stopped before the old tavern since the transfer of the license to the summer hotel back on the lake shore.
troughnounUS /trɔːf/
a narrow depression (as in the earth or between ocean waves or in the ocean bed)
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
someone who visits
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
accept gladly
From this reading When a chance visitor did intrude upon her quietude, his welcome was assured.
at the time that
From this reading Nancy sighed when she remembered it, for it had brought much gossip and change into her daily existence.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading _THE STRENGTH OF TEN._ It was the sudden termination of the jingling of sleigh-bells that caused Nancy McVeigh to look curiously from her window.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading At one time it was an odd thing for anyone to pass without dropping in, if only for a chat or an excuse to water his horses at the pump trough.
