used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
in addition
From this reading There were also references to “money” and Nan began to fear that Gene and she would have nothing.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
for the reason that
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading There were also references to “money” and Nan began to fear that Gene and she would have nothing.
past form of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
the two together, not just one
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
distractedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstræktəd/
having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
EugenenounUS /juːˈdʒiːn/
Austrian general in the service of the Holy Roman Empire during the War of the Spanish Succession (1663-1736)
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading There were also references to “money” and Nan began to fear that Gene and she would have nothing.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
set up or found
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
GenenounUS /dʒiːn/
(genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
From this reading There were also references to “money” and Nan began to fear that Gene and she would have nothing.
Gene'snounUS /dʒiːnz/
possessive form of “gene” — (genetics) a segment of DNA that is involved in producing a polypeptide chain; it can include regions preceding and following the coding DNA as well as introns between the exons; it is considered a unit of heredity
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There were also references to “money” and Nan began to fear that Gene and she would have nothing.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
JoycenounUS /dʒɔɪs/
influential Irish writer noted for his many innovations (such as stream of consciousness writing) (1882-1941)
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
the literary culture
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
Massey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading There were also references to “money” and Nan began to fear that Gene and she would have nothing.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
mother-in-law's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
go across or through
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
ransackedadjectiveUS /ˈrænsækt/
wrongfully emptied or stripped of anything of value
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
referencesnounUS /ˈrefərənsɪz/
plural of “reference” — a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading There were also references to “money” and Nan began to fear that Gene and she would have nothing.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
express in words
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
only a very short time before
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
straightenverbUS /ˈstreɪtən/
straighten up or out; make straight
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
express in words
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
theirspronounUS /ðerz/
the one or ones belonging to them
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
in or at that place or location
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
precisely as stated
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
showing sorrow
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the contrary, there were letters and papers that showed that both Gene’s mother and his aunt had always known that the house belonged to Joyce.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Matters had come to such a pass in the Massey home that Eugene and his wife scarcely had a pleasant word to say to one another, and Nan spent much time in weeping.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading Gene’s business wasn’t very good, and it had been growing worse of late, because he was so distracted by this matter of the will that he scarcely gave any attention at all to it; and Nan was running up terrible bills which she dared not tell him about, hoping every day that Joyce would turn up and matters would straighten out.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She had ransacked the house to find some papers of her mother-in-law’s that would prove that the house was theirs, but had found nothing.
