used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
highly skilled
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
buyingnounUS /ˈbaɪɪŋ/
the act of buying
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
complainedverbUS /kəmˈpleɪnd/
past form of “complain” — express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
conspiracynounUS /kənˈspɪrəsi/
a secret agreement between two or more people to perform an unlawful act
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
an item of information that is typical of a class or group
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
the act of departing
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
only a very short time before
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
be the source of pain
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
the act of departing
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
of an obscure nature
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
obstructingverbUS /əbˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “obstruct” — hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
have ownership or possession of
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
a set of two similar things considered as a unit
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
plural of “parent” — a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
shirtsnounUS /ʃɜːrts/
plural of “shirt” — a garment worn on the upper half of the body
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
smallestadjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːləst/
superlative of “small” — limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
socksnounUS /sɑːks/
plural of “sock” — hosiery consisting of a cloth covering for the foot; worn inside the shoe; reaches to between the ankle and the knee
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
in the near future
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
express in speech
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
tailorverbUS /ˈteɪlər/
adjust to a specific need or market
From this reading "London is an awful place," he complained to his mother; "the smallest errand runs away with the best part of a day, buying socks and shirts for example, not to speak of boots and the tailor!
carry out
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
Trades-people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Trades-people seem to take a delight in obstructing one at every turn.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
used to ask for information about something
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
hope for; have a wish
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
in the company of; together with
From this reading He felt as though helpless in the grip of some mysterious conspiracy that from day to day left him with hardly an hour that he could call his own.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Philip did not carry out his intention of leaving London as soon as escape could be accomplished without hurt to his parents' feelings.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading If you wish to buy a pair of gloves in comfort you have to be prepared to spend hours over it, what with going and coming and hunting about for what you really want!"
