used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
arrogantadjectiveUS /ˈerəɡənt/
having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
eat an early morning meal
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
an occurrence of something
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
contendingverbUS /kənˈtendɪŋ/
-ing form of “contend” — maintain or assert
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
dishevelledadjective
in disarray; extremely disorderly
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
distractedlyadverb
in a distracted manner
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
dominatingadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːməneɪtɪŋ/
most powerful or important or influential
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
EugenenounUS /juːˈdʒiːn/
Austrian general in the service of the Holy Roman Empire during the War of the Spanish Succession (1663-1736)
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
at any time
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
the act of departing
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
HellonounUS /həˈloʊ/
an expression of greeting
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
insolentadjectiveUS /ˈɪnsələnt/
marked by casual disrespect
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
insolentlyadverb
in an insolent manner
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
irateadjectiveUS /aɪˈreɪt/
feeling or showing extreme anger
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A man’s voice.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
Nannette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
on one occasion
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
the time that has elapsed
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
receivernounUS /rəˈsiːvər/
set that receives radio or tv signals
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
resentfullyadverb
with resentment; in a resentful manner
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
Identical; not different.
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
semblancenounUS /ˈsembləns/
an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
snapverbUS /snæp/
utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
carry out
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The telephone suddenly rang out sharply and Eugene dropped the morning paper with a snap and sprang to take down the receiver, an arrogant frown appearing at once on his face and dominating the anxiety that had been there ever since the evening before:
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
unrulyadjectiveUS /ənˈruːli/
noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
the act of using
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading “Hello!” he said insolently in the voice he meant to use for Joyce in case it was Joyce.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
which person or people
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
in the company of; together with
From this reading About half past seven the next morning, Nannette was going distractedly about the dishevelled kitchen attempting to get a semblance of a breakfast for the irate Eugene and at the same time deal with her two unruly children who half dressed were contending about the cat.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “Hello!” came back a voice equally insolent with the effect of having been the same word thrown back resentfully.
