used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
in a state of sleep
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
next to; at the side of
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
clickedverbUS /klɪkt/
past form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading The gate clicked, and a man walked up the path.
convalescentnounUS /ˌkɑːnvəˈlesənt/
a person who is recovering from illness
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading The gate clicked, and a man walked up the path.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
listenernounUS /ˈlɪsənər/
someone who listens attentively
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The gate clicked, and a man walked up the path.
napnounUS /næp/
a period of time spent sleeping
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
a course of conduct
From this reading The gate clicked, and a man walked up the path.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
RamonanounUS /rəˈmoʊnə/
shrubby plant with aromatic greyish-green leaves used as a cooking herb
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
sawmillnounUS /ˈsɔːmɪl/
a large sawing machine
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
slumbernounUS /ˈslʌmbər/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SHOT OUT OF THE NIGHT Ramona sat on the porch in the gathering darkness.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been reading aloud to her father, but he had fallen asleep beside her in his big armchair.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
unprejudicedadjective
free from undue bias or preconceived opinions
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The gate clicked, and a man walked up the path.
under normal conditions
From this reading During these convalescent days he usually took a nap after dinner and after supper.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The gate clicked, and a man walked up the path.
winksnounUS /wɪŋks/
plural of “wink” — a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading He called it forty winks, but to an unprejudiced listener the voice of his slumber sounded like a sawmill in action.
