used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
CHATverbUS /tʃæt/
talk socially without exchanging too much information
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
complacentadjectiveUS /kəmˈpleɪsənt/
contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading It had completely slipped my mind."
CONFIDENTIALadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
DalenounUS /deɪl/
an open river valley (in a hilly area)
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
put on clothes
From this reading "Well, Mr. Thompson, I hope you like the dress.
opinion or judgment
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
a social unit living together
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
finerynounUS /ˈfaɪnəri/
elaborate or showy attire and accessories
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
flatnessnounUS /ˈflætnəs/
the property of having two dimensions
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
forthwithadverbUS /ˈfɔːrˈθwɪθ/
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
a woman's dress, usually with a close-fitting bodice and a long flared skirt, often worn on formal occasions
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had completely slipped my mind."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "Well, Mr. Thompson, I hope you like the dress.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had completely slipped my mind."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
matchedadjectiveUS /mætʃt/
provided with a worthy adversary or competitor
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading It had completely slipped my mind."
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It had completely slipped my mind."
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
yielding a fair profit
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
Persis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
racedverbUS /reɪst/
past form of “race” — move hurridly
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading It had completely slipped my mind."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
the season of growth
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
ThompsonnounUS /ˈtɑːmpsən/
United States classical archaeologist (born in Canada) noted for leading the excavation of the Athenian agora (1906-2000)
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
wearinessnounUS /ˈwɪrinəs/
temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work
From this reading There was a flatness in his voice that matched the weariness in his eyes, and forthwith a dozen questions raced through her alert brain.
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, Mr. Thompson, I hope you like the dress.
which person or people
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
wife'snounUS /waɪfs/
possessive form of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
Damaged or thinned by continuous use.
From this reading He looked old and worn, Persis thought, more like the man who must settle for the spring finery of a family of grown daughters, than a complacent young husband paying for his wife's first new gown since the wedding.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading A CONFIDENTIAL CHAT "I believe," said young Mr. Thompson, "that I've been owing you a little bill for some weeks, Miss Dale.
