used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But you don't understand," insisted Pauline, exasperatedly.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
Courtlandt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
CynthianounUS /ˈsɪnθiə/
(Greek mythology) the virgin goddess of the hunt and the Moon; daughter of Leto and twin sister of Apollo; identified with Roman Diana
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading It would be a decidedly living letter."
dinesverbUS /daɪnz/
third-person singular of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But you don't understand," insisted Pauline, exasperatedly.
at any time
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
exasperatedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But you don't understand," insisted Pauline, exasperatedly.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
gruffadjectiveUS /ɡrʌf/
brusque and surly and forbidding
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
half-a-dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading "But you don't understand," insisted Pauline, exasperatedly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
the sound of laughing
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading It would be a decidedly living letter."
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
newspapersnounUS /ˈnuːzpeɪpərz/
plural of “newspaper” — a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
PaulineadjectiveUS /pɔːˈliːn/
relating to Paul the Apostle or his doctrines
From this reading "But you don't understand," insisted Pauline, exasperatedly.
anything (such as a document or a phonograph record or a photograph) providing permanent evidence of or information about past events
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
recurring again and again
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading "But you don't understand," insisted Pauline, exasperatedly.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Courtlandt gave a low laugh, that was almost gruff, and was certainly harsh.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Where have they ever heard of Aunt Cynthia?" he repeated.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Why, she never dines out that the society column of half-a-dozen newspapers does not record it, and her name would be very far from a dead letter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But you don't understand," insisted Pauline, exasperatedly.
