10th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
addressedadjectiveUS /əˈdrest/
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
agoadverbUS /əˈɡoʊ/
in the past
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
altogetheradverbUS /ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
behavedverbUS /bɪˈheɪvd/
past form of “behave” — behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
contentsnounUS /ˈkɑːntents/
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
cutternounUS /ˈkʌtər/
someone who cuts or carves stone
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
divined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
EvenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
expectverbUS /ɪkˈspekt/
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
familiaradjectiveUS /fəˈmɪljər/
well known or easily recognized
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
faultnounUS /fɔːlt/
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
FRIVOLITYnounUS /frəˈvɑːləti/
the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
highly-scented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
hopenounUS /hoʊp/
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
horridlyadverb
in a hideous manner
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
leftnounUS /left/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
MarchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/
march in a procession
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
missivenounUS /ˈmɪsɪv/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
MYdeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
papernounUS /ˈpeɪpər/
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
PeternounUS /ˈpiːtər/
disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
ratenounUS /reɪt/
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
RuffnounUS /rʌf/
an external body part consisting of feathers or hair about the neck of a bird or other animal
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/
Identical; not different.
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading He looked at it for several moments before opening it.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
slidverbUS /slɪd/
inflected form of “slide” — move obliquely or sideways, usually in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
surprisedadjectiveUS /sərˈpraɪzd/
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
tellverbUS /tel/
express in words
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
THEATREnounUS /ˈθiːətər/
a building where theatrical performances or motion-picture shows can be presented
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
topnounUS /tɑːp/
the upper part of anything
From this reading Even as the paper cutter slid through the top of the envelope, he felt that he had already divined the nature of its contents.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading I know that I behaved very horridly a little time ago, but it was not altogether my fault, and I have been more sorry for it than I can tell you--in fact, John and I have never been the same since, and for the present, at any rate, I have left him and gone on the stage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was about this time that Peter Ruff found among his letters one morning a highly-scented little missive, addressed to him in a handwriting with which he had once been familiar.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading FRIVOLITY THEATRE March 10th MY DEAR Mr. RUFF: I expect that you will be surprised to hear from me again, but I do hope that you will not be annoyed.
