used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
a youthful male person
From this reading "My dear boy!"
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
dearly loved
From this reading "My dear boy!"
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
a social unit living together
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
start firing a weapon
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
gladnessnoun
experiencing joy and pleasure
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
HarrisonnounUS /ˈherɪsən/
English actor on stage and in films (1908-1990)
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
the state of being honored
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
become quiet or still; fall silent
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
past form of “kiss” — touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
come together
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
Murray'snounUS /ˈmɜːriz/
possessive form of “murray” — British classical scholar (born in Australia) who advocated the League of Nations and the United Nations (1866-1957)
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My dear boy!"
n't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
try to get or reach
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
a tendency to express warm and affectionate feeling
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
in or at that place or location
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
Townsend'snounUS /ˈtaʊnzəndz/
possessive form of “townsend” — United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Then Murray’s father was the first across the floor to meet him; and in an instant more the whole family was upon him, while the Bells rose, smiling, to do him honour.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Murray’s mother, too--he had not known she was capable of so much tenderness, and he kissed her with a feeling that in his thoughts he had n’t done her love for him justice.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
wringverbUS /rɪŋ/
twist and press out of shape
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
wrungverbUS /rʌŋ/
inflected form of “wring” — twist and press out of shape
From this reading There was a great gladness in Harrison Townsend’s voice and he wrung his son’s hand as if he would wring it off.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading HIDE AND SEEK There was a moment’s astonished hush as the group about the fire stared at the erect young figure.
