used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Rendel as he looked at it, saw that the signature was "Belmont."
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Rendel as he looked at it, saw that the signature was "Belmont."
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
BelmontnounUS /ˈbelmɑːnt/
a racetrack for thoroughbred racing in Elmont on Long Island; site of the Belmont Stakes
From this reading Rendel as he looked at it, saw that the signature was "Belmont."
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
capacitynounUS /kəˈpæsəti/
capability to perform or produce
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
foeman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Rendel as he looked at it, saw that the signature was "Belmont."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
hornnounUS /hɔːrn/
a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
of great significance or value
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Rendel as he looked at it, saw that the signature was "Belmont."
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
come together
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
and nothing more
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
postman's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
prosaicallyadverb
in a matter-of-fact manner
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
Rendel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
cut with a saw
From this reading Rendel as he looked at it, saw that the signature was "Belmont."
signaturenounUS /ˈsɪɡnətʃər/
your name written in your own handwriting
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
make square
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
unfoldedverbUS /ənˈfoʊldɪd/
past form of “unfold” — develop or come to a promising stage
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
usheredverbUS /ˈʌʃərd/
past form of “usher” — take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
in the company of; together with
From this reading There was only one letter, but that was an important looking one addressed to Rendel, in a big, square envelope with an official signature in the corner.
the words that are spoken
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In an instant as he unfolded the page his hopes leapt to meet the words he would find there.
an injury to living tissue (especially an injury involving a cut or break in the skin)
From this reading The opportunity that came that night was ushered in somewhat prosaically, not by the sound of a foeman's horn being wound in the distance, but by the postman's knock.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading It was, however, marked "private and confidential," and was not written in an official capacity.
