used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DECISION.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading It was the twilight of an April evening, soft and calm.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
Atheling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve been thinking,” said Charlie Atheling slowly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading “I’ve been thinking,” said Charlie Atheling slowly.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
a youthful male person
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
make calm or still
From this reading It was the twilight of an April evening, soft and calm.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
Charlie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve been thinking,” said Charlie Atheling slowly.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
cogitations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading A DECISION.
(often used in combination) having a specified direction
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was the twilight of an April evening, soft and calm.
a boy or man
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
half-embracing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I’ve been thinking,” said Charlie Atheling slowly.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
of great significance or value
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
prefacenounUS /ˈprefəs/
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I’ve been thinking,” said Charlie Atheling slowly.
plural of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading “I’ve been thinking,” said Charlie Atheling slowly.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading It was the twilight of an April evening, soft and calm.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading “I’ve been thinking,” said Charlie Atheling slowly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
twilightnounUS /ˈtwaɪlaɪt/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading It was the twilight of an April evening, soft and calm.
unitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading His sisters came close to him immediately, half-embracing this great fellow in their united arms, and waiting for his communication.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Having made this preface, the big boy paused: it was his manner of opening an important subject, to which the greater part of his cogitations were directed.
