used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
react verbally
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
basketsnounUS /ˈbæskəts/
plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
bedchambernounUS /ˈbedtʃeɪmbər/
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
chancedverbUS /tʃænst/
past form of “chance” — be the case by chance
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
consignverbUS /kənˈsaɪn/
commit forever; commit irrevocably
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
crankverbUS /kræŋk/
travel along a zigzag path
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
entersverbUS /ˈentərz/
third-person singular of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
filesnounUS /faɪlz/
plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
Gridley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Jason Gridley on the telephone.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
a single distinct event
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
JasonnounUS /ˈdʒeɪsən/
(Greek mythology) the husband of Medea and leader of the Argonauts who sailed in quest of the Golden Fleece
From this reading It was Jason Gridley on the telephone.
juncturenounUS /ˈdʒʌŋktʃər/
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
immediately past
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
the literary culture
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
in other respects or ways
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
To recall to mind.
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
shroudverbUS /ʃraʊd/
cover as if with a shroud
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
speaksverbUS /spiːks/
third-person singular of “speak” — express in speech
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading I might have read on to the end; but at this juncture the telephone bell rang, and I dropped the letter into one of the baskets on my desk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
thirteenthadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːr.tiːnθ/
Constituting number thirteen in a sequence.
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
wastebasketnounUS /ˈweɪstbæskət/
a container with an open top; for discarded paper and other rubbish
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
at the time that
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
in or at the place that
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
a Caucasian
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
the words that are spoken
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It chanced to be the “out” basket; and had events followed their ordinary course, this would have been the last of the letter and the incident in so far as I was concerned, for from the “out” basket the letter went to the files.
produce a literary work
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Having read this far in the letter, I was about to consign it to the wastebasket, where all my crank letters go; but for some reason I read on, “If she speaks to you, please remember her words and repeat them to me when you write.”
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “If a female figure in a white shroud enters your bedchamber at midnight on the thirteenth day of this month, answer this letter; otherwise, do not.”
