used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
alternateadjectiveUS /ˈɔːltərnət/
every second one of a series
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 'And who lies outside?' she asked.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading 'And who lies outside?' she asked.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
lacking funds
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
caressesnounUS /kərˈesɪz/
plural of “caress” — a gentle affectionate stroking (or something resembling it)
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
apart from; not including
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
extractedverbUS /ekˈstræktɪd/
past form of “extract” — remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
a man of refinement
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
plural of “lie” — a statement that deviates from or perverts the truth
From this reading 'And who lies outside?' she asked.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They petted me tenderly.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading 'And who lies outside?' she asked.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
pettedverbUS /ˈpetɪd/
inflected form of “pet” — stroke or caress gently
From this reading They petted me tenderly.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
express in words
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'And who lies outside?' she asked.
sobverbUS /sɑːb/
weep convulsively
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
express in words
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
tenderlyadverbUS /ˈtendərli/
with tenderness; in a tender manner
From this reading They petted me tenderly.
That's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They petted me tenderly.
timelyadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪmli/
before a time limit expires
From this reading My story was extracted by alternate leading questions from the old gentleman and timely caresses from the ladies.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
in or at the place that
From this reading I could tell them everything except the name of the street where I lived.
which person or people
From this reading 'And who lies outside?' she asked.
in the company of; together with
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
the words that are spoken
From this reading 'That's my papa,' I was beginning to say, but broke the words with a sob, for I seemed to be separated from him now by the sea itself.
