used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
BEGINSnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnz/
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
the two together, not just one
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
exercising caution or showing care or attention
From this reading "Be careful to lock up well every night."
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
charitynounUS /ˈtʃerɪti/
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
relating to or characteristic of Christianity
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
deliveringverbUS /dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
diesnounUS /daɪz/
plural of “die” — a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; used in gambling to generate random numbers
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
doin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
being one more than seven
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "Be careful to lock up well every night."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
grippedverbUS /ɡrɪpt/
inflected form of “grip” — hold fast or firmly
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
a message received and understood
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
JANE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
fasten with a lock
From this reading "Be careful to lock up well every night."
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading "Be careful to lock up well every night."
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
on one occasion
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
by chance
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
To recall to mind.
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
SUNSHINING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JANE BEGINS SUNSHINING THE stage came for Matilda at eight o'clock.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
tightlyadverbUS /ˈtaɪtli/
in a tight or constricted manner
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
travelernounUS /ˈtrævələr/
a person who changes location
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/
a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Be careful to lock up well every night."
being of use or service
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Remember if she dies sudden, I shall want to know at once."
(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 "Be careful to lock up well every night."
in the company of; together with
From this reading For half an hour before it could possibly be due, the traveler sat ready on a chair in the hall, with her umbrella tightly gripped in both hands, delivering bits of useful information as they occurred to her.
you're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "Don't look to enjoy yourself, but remember you're doin' a act of Christian charity."
