used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
(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 The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
blurredadjectiveUS /blɜːrd/
indistinct or hazy in outline
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading As she closed it she looked up.
descendingadjectiveUS /dɪˈsendɪŋ/
coming down or downward
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
dimmedadjectiveUS /dɪmd/
made dim or less bright
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
divisible by two
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
farewellsnounUS /ˌferˈwelz/
plural of “farewell” — an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
set up or found
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
Hannay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
Isobel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As she closed it she looked up.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
immediately past
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
the literary culture
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
a particular point in time
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
only a very short time before
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As she closed it she looked up.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Isobel Hannay was the first to finish, for her letter to her mother was but a short one.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
sobsnounUS /sɑːbz/
plural of “sob” — a dyspneic condition
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
StifledadjectiveUS /ˈstaɪfəld/
held in check with difficulty
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Stifled sobs were heard in the quiet room; mournful letters were blurred with tears even from eyes that had not before been dimmed since the siege began.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
(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 Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Scarce one looked up as they entered; their thoughts at the moment were at home with those to whom they were writing what might well be their last farewells.
the act of creating written works
From this reading The men on descending from the roof found all the ladies engaged in writing, the Major having told them that there was a chance of their letters being taken out.
