used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
addressingverbUS /əˈdresɪŋ/
-ing form of “address” — speak to
From this reading He rarely used the word "mother" when addressing her directly.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
annoyedadjectiveUS /əˈnɔɪd/
aroused to impatience or anger
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
BurnhamnounUS /ˈbɜːrnəm/
United States architect who designed the first important skyscraper with a skeleton (1846-1912)
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
without deviation
From this reading He rarely used the word "mother" when addressing her directly.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
Erskine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
divisible by two
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
destroyed or killed
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
Irene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
informal terms for a mother
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
MANAGERnounUS /ˈmænədʒər/
someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
mommie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
as might be expected
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
ofteneradverbUS /ˈɔːfənər/
more often or more frequently
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
by chance
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
petnounUS /pet/
a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
prevailedverbUS /prɪˈveɪld/
past form of “prevail” — be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
rarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading He rarely used the word "mother" when addressing her directly.
on the contrary
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
restrictionsnounUS /riˈstrɪkʃənz/
plural of “restriction” — a principle that limits the extent of something
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
son'snounUS /sʌnz/
possessive form of “son” — a male human offspring
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
the utterance of intelligible speech
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
not in physical motion
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
undertakeverbUS /ˈʌndərteɪk/
enter upon an activity or enterprise
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
unreasonableadjectiveUS /ənˈriːznəbəl/
not reasonable; not showing good judgment
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
the act of using
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading He rarely used the word "mother" when addressing her directly.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As a rule the habits of his childhood prevailed, and "mamma" was the name in frequent use; or, oftener still perhaps, when they were quite alone, his special pet name for her, "mommie," came naturally to his lips.
at the time that
From this reading He rarely used the word "mother" when addressing her directly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Erskine Burnham had followed his mother to her room evidently with a view to speaking to her alone, his wife having gone on into her own room and closed the door.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Even though she had not felt it in the tone of his voice, Mrs. Burnham would have known by her son's opening word that he was annoyed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading THE GENERAL MANAGER "MOTHER, don't you think that you are being rather hard on Irene to undertake to hold her to restrictions to which she has never been accustomed, and which to her seem narrow and unreasonable?"
