used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
(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 I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
any thing at all
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
certificatenounUS /sərˈtɪfɪkət/
a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
a young person of either sex
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
dearly loved
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
set up or found
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading With the trembling hands he opened it.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
come to pass
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading With the trembling hands he opened it.
immediately past
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
engage in
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
mortgagenounUS /ˈmɔːrɡədʒ/
a conditional conveyance of property as security for the repayment of a loan
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
a brief written record
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
and nothing more
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading With the trembling hands he opened it.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
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 The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
placingverbUS /ˈpleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “place” — put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
established beyond doubt
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
receiptsnounUS /rɪˈsiːts/
the entire amount of income before any deductions are made
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
sincerelyadverbUS /sɪnˈsɪrli/
with sincerity; without pretense
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
a male human offspring
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
express in words
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading It read thus: “My dear son and only child: My career on earth is nearly run; I feel it my duty to make an explanation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
a shaky motion
From this reading With the trembling hands he opened it.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading After placing the picture carefully in his pocket he picked up the papers one by one and read each of them carefully.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first proved to be the marriage certificate of his parents; the second and several others the receipts of the interest paid on the mortgage before spoken of; the last was a letter in the familiar handwriting of his mother.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
in the company of; together with
From this reading With the trembling hands he opened it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I sincerely hope I may find courage to tell you all about your father and the secret mortgage, but if anything should happen this note will be found and explain my strange conduct.
