used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
in actual fact
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
BERYLnounUS /ˈberəl/
the chief source of beryllium; colored transparent varieties are valued as gems
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading When her eyes fell on us, however, her expression changed.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
coughverbUS /kɑːf/
exhale abruptly, as when one has a chest cold or congestion
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
dearly loved
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
Didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading I will explain to you what I have been doing.'
divisible by two
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading I will explain to you what I have been doing.'
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading When her eyes fell on us, however, her expression changed.
opinion or judgment
From this reading When her eyes fell on us, however, her expression changed.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading When her eyes fell on us, however, her expression changed.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading When her eyes fell on us, however, her expression changed.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
the sound of laughing
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
for more time
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
informal terms for a mother
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When her eyes fell on us, however, her expression changed.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I will explain to you what I have been doing.'
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When her eyes fell on us, however, her expression changed.
precisely as stated
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I will explain to you what I have been doing.'
at the time that
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Margaret was actually in the middle of a laugh, which did not seem as if she was feeling very bad, even though it turned into a cough.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I will explain to you what I have been doing.'
the words that are spoken
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
worryingnounUS /ˈwɜːriɪŋ/
the act of harassing someone
From this reading She looked pleased, but a little surprised, as she took in that we had not been, by any means, sitting worrying ourselves, but quite the contrary.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading DEAR MAMMA BERYL must have been away longer than she had expected, for when we heard the front bell ring and a minute later she hurried in, her first words were-- 'Did you think I was never coming back?
