used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
ArabicnounUS /ˈærəbɪk/
the Semitic language of the Arabs; spoken in a variety of dialects
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I'm going to be very busy for a while.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading "I'm going to be very busy for a while.
buttonsnounUS /ˈbʌtənz/
plural of “button” — a round fastener sewn to shirts and coats etc to fit through buttonholes
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
capricenounUS /kəˈpriːs/
a sudden desire
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
checkverbUS /tʃek/
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
enchantingadjectiveUS /enˈtʃæntɪŋ/
capturing interest as if by a spell
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
a feeling of excitement
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
glovenounUS /ɡlʌv/
the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
the act of departing
From this reading "I'm going to be very busy for a while.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
Hamoud-bin-Said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
hattedadjective
wearing a hat or a hat of a particular kind
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm going to be very busy for a while.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
insufferableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsʌfərəbəl/
unbearably arrogant or conceited
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
a room where books are kept
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
Lilla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
a female domestic
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
a message that seems to convey no meaning
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
held or filled or in use
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
on one occasion
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
preoccupationnounUS /priˌɑːkjəˈpeɪʃən/
an idea that preoccupies the mind and holds the attention
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/
the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
express a supposition
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
moving very fast
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
two-weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
precisely as stated
From this reading "I'm going to be very busy for a while.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
at the time that
From this reading Next day, when a maid announced that Hamoud-bin-Said was waiting in the library, Lilla felt that the time had come to "stop that nonsense."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She entered the library dressed and hatted for the street, pulling on her gloves; and while occupied with her glove buttons said calmly, in her enchanting voice:
in the company of; together with
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Her desire to learn Arabic now seemed to her an absurd caprice; and once more she had reason to wonder at her swift passage from one enthusiasm to another, her intense preoccupation with things that suddenly became insufferable.
the act of creating written works
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I suppose I ought to have given you a little notice; so I'm writing you a check for two-weeks' lessons."
