used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
be present at (meetings, church services, university), etc.
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
birthplacenounUS /ˈbɜːrθpleɪs/
the place where someone was born
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
boyhoodnounUS /ˈbɔɪhʊd/
the childhood of a boy
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
denudedadjectiveUS /dɪˈnuːdɪd/
without the natural or usual covering
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
a feeling of dissatisfaction that results when your expectations are not realized
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
Ethel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
apart from; not including
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
farmhousenounUS /ˈfɑːrmhaʊs/
house for a farmer and family
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
set up or found
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
enclose in or as if in a frame
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
heirnounUS /er/
A person legally or magically entitled to the property or rank of another on that person's death.
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
hillsidenounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪd/
the side or slope of a hill
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
immediately past
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
leasedadjectiveUS /liːst/
hired for the exclusive temporary use of a group of travelers
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
the act of departing
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
messagesnounUS /ˈmesədʒəz/
plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
on one occasion
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
and nothing more
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
perforceadverbUS /pərˈfɔːrs/
by necessity; by force of circumstance
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
personifiedverbUS /pərˈsɑːnəfaɪd/
inflected form of “personify” — invest with or as with a body; give body to
From this reading But she was sweetness personified.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
Rockhaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
only a very short time before
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But she was sweetness personified.
ShermannounUS /ˈʃɜːrmən/
United States general who was commander of all Union troops in the West; he captured Atlanta and led a destructive march to the sea that cut the Confederacy in two (1820-1891)
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
solenounUS /soʊl/
the underside of footwear or a golf club
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
plural of “stranger” — anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
plant fiber used e.g. for making baskets and hats or as fodder
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
sweetnessnounUS /ˈswiːtnəs/
the taste experience when sugar dissolves in the mouth
From this reading But she was sweetness personified.
taxesnounUS /ˈtæksəz/
plural of “tax” — charge against a citizen's person or property or activity for the support of government
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
unenviableadjectiveUS /əˈnenviːəbəl/
hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
unpaidadjectiveUS /ənˈpeɪd/
not paid
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This, following the bitter disappointment of his Rockhaven trip, seemed the last straw; and when he called upon Ethel, as perforce he felt he must, he was in an unenviable frame of mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And Winn, the sole heir, was now asked to come and pay them, or allow his boyhood home to be sold for that purpose.
weather-beatenadjective
tanned and coarsened from being outdoors
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
at the time that
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
Winn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ONLY A MOOD When Winn reached home, he found two messages awaiting him, one from Ethel Sherman asking him to call, and another bidding him journey to the home of his boyhood and attend to a business matter at once.
worthlessadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrθləs/
lacking in usefulness or value
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
a late time of life
From this reading His birthplace, an almost worthless hillside farm, had been leased to strangers, but they had scarce obtained a living and, finally, having denuded it of about everything except the stones and the old weather-beaten farmhouse, had deserted it, leaving three years' taxes unpaid.
