used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "You are not far wrong," replied Merrill, smiling.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "It was a ridiculous business," resumed Cavender.
By-the-bye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
Cavender
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
conveyingnounUS /kənˈveɪɪŋ/
act of transferring property title from one person to another
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
cumbrousadjective
difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
desertingverbUS /ˈdezərtɪŋ/
-ing form of “desert” — leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "You are not far wrong," replied Merrill, smiling.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
hand-barrow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/
a device that requires skill for proper use
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
Merrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "You are not far wrong," replied Merrill, smiling.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
portersnounUS /ˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
relieveverbUS /rɪˈliːv/
provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "You are not far wrong," replied Merrill, smiling.
past form of “respond” — show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading "It was a ridiculous business," resumed Cavender.
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading "It was a ridiculous business," resumed Cavender.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "You are not far wrong," replied Merrill, smiling.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
a thing, without saying which
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
make square
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
imagine to be the case or true or probable
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
in or at that place or location
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "So I thought," responded Merrill; "to me there appeared something too absurd in conveying through the streets at night so cumbrous an instrument--carrying it on a hand-barrow, like porters."
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
(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," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well," observed Cavender, "there were, however, enough of us to relieve each other every square.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading "You are not far wrong," replied Merrill, smiling.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You are not far wrong," replied Merrill, smiling.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading By-the-bye, I suspect that your true reason for deserting was to avoid taking your turn in carrying the piano."
