used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
COMMISSIONnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
composurenounUS /kəmˈpoʊʒər/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
characterized by great determination
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
the act of giving
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
insensibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsensəbəl/
incapable of physical sensation
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
interruptionnounUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpʃən/
an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
the act of departing
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
Martha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
opportuneadjectiveUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːn/
suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
an executive officer of a firm or corporation
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
privilegedadjectiveUS /ˈprɪvlədʒd/
blessed with privileges
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
on the contrary
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
regainverbUS /rɪˈɡeɪn/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
relievingverbUS /rɪˈliːvɪŋ/
-ing form of “relieve” — provide physical relief, as from pain
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
rotundadjectiveUS /roʊˈtʌnd/
spherical in shape
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
shamefacedlyadverb
in a shamefaced manner
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
a male human offspring
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
tensionnounUS /ˈtenʃən/
(psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading She came at an opportune time, relieving the tension between the mother and son.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading He was glad of the interruption and rather shamefacedly took advantage of it by leaving the room.
unceremoniouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnserəˈmoʊniəsli/
in an unceremonious manner
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
Varney
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A COMMISSION FROM THE PRESIDENT The door giving entrance to the hall was opened unceremoniously by the rotund and privileged Martha.
(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 “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Well, Martha, what is it?” asked Mrs. Varney, striving to regain her composure.
Wilfred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wilfred was not insensible to his mother’s feelings, but he was determined to go to the front.
