used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
for the reason that
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
challengedverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒd/
past form of “challenge” — take exception to
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
cushionsnounUS /ˈkʊʃənz/
plural of “cushion” — a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
ELIGIBLEadjectiveUS /ˈelədʒəbəl/
qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
set up or found
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
gloomilyadverbUS /ˈɡluːməli/
with gloom
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
gruntedverbUS /ˈɡrʌntɪd/
past form of “grunt” — issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
hunchedadjectiveUS /hʌntʃt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
lead-gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/
United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
Leonard'snounUS /ˈlenərdz/
possessive form of “leonard” — United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
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 After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Slim grunted gloomily and hunched himself more comfortably against the cushions.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
and nothing more
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
optimisticadjectiveUS /ˌɑːptəˈmɪstɪk/
expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
persistentadjectiveUS /pərˈsɪstənt/
never-ceasing
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
predictionnounUS /priˈdɪkʃən/
the act of predicting (as by reasoning about the future)
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading Outside the November afternoon was dark with lead-gray clouds and a fine, persistent rain challenged Leonard’s optimistic prediction of clearing weather by four o’clock.
rainyadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
SlimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
Slim's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
a special situation
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
(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 After church came dinner, and after dinner--well, nothing, it seemed, but a long and sleepy afternoon.
window-seat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Leonard and Slim found reading matter and settled down, Slim on the window-seat because he managed to reach it first, and Leonard on his bed, with his own and Slim’s pillows under his head.
the day immediately before today
From this reading NOT ELIGIBLE After a day like yesterday only one thing could be expected of the weather, and so here was a rainy Sunday.
