used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
Fairfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
yet to be or coming
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
greetingsnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/
plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
matinée
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
meddlesomeadjectiveUS /ˈmedəlsəm/
intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
a form of address for a man
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
not one, and not any
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
on one occasion
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
PattynounUS /ˈpæti/
small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
PATTY'SnounUS /ˈpætiz/
possessive form of “patty” — small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
Reypen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
plural of “right” — an abstract idea of that which is due to a person or governmental body by law or tradition or nature
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
straight-forward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
express in words
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
someone who visits
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield, pleasantly.
(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 It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went at once to her subject.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
at the time that
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading It being Saturday afternoon, Mr. Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as his wife.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading PATTY’S FUTURE One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. Van Reypen called at the Fairfield home.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose to tell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what is none of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
