used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Nothing in particular, father," I answered.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading They tell me he is dying.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
the act of departing
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They tell me he is dying.
Jamieson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They tell me he is dying.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "Nothing in particular, father," I answered.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading "Nothing in particular, father," I answered.
Ranald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
express in words
From this reading They tell me he is dying.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They tell me he is dying.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Well, I'm going to see an old man--John Jamieson--I don't think you know him: he has not been able to come to church for a long time.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Old John Jamieson As I returned to the house I met my father.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
(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, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, Ranald, what are you about?" he said, in his usual gentle tone.
