used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
armfulnoun
the quantity that can be contained in the arms
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
Avery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
blusteringadjectiveUS /ˈblʌstərɪŋ/
blowing in violent and abrupt bursts
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
boardersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “boarder” — a tenant in someone's house
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
confinedadjectiveUS /kənˈfaɪnd/
not invading healthy tissue
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
unvarying in nature
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
disdainedverbUS /dɪsˈdeɪnd/
past form of “disdain” — look down on with disdain
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
doctor'snounUS /ˈdɑːktərz/
possessive form of “doctor” — a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
having the power of driving or impelling
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
expeditionsnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “expedition” — a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
GracienounUS /ˈɡreɪsi/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
the act of retaining something
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
Jeanie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
not caught with the senses or the mind
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
neighbouringverbUS /ˈneɪbərɪŋ/
-ing form of “neighbour” — live or be located as a neighbor
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
OliveadjectiveUS /ˈɑːləv/
of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
PatverbUS /pæt/
pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
purchasesnounUS /ˈpɜːrtʃəsəz/
plural of “purchase” — the acquisition of something for payment
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
railingsnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋz/
plural of “railing” — a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
an educational institution
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
shelteringverbUS /ˈʃeltərɪŋ/
-ing form of “shelter” — provide shelter for
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
shoppingnounUS /ˈʃɑːpɪŋ/
searching for or buying goods or services
From this reading Olive, having become more and more her father's constant companion, disdained shopping expeditions.
sleetnounUS /sliːt/
partially melted snow (or a mixture of rain and snow)
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
the season of growth
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
SUBSTANCEnounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
hard to endure
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/
a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SUBSTANCE It was a blustering spring day, and Avery, caught in a sudden storm of driving sleet, stood up against the railings of the doctor's house, sheltering as best she might.
weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/
a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
(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 She was holding her umbrella well in the teeth of the gale, and trying to protect an armful of purchases as well.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The two elder boys and Pat were all at a neighbouring school as weekly boarders, and though she missed them Avery had it not in her heart to regret the arrangement.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She was alone, Gracie, the black sheep, having been sent to school at the close of the Christmas holidays, and Jeanie being confined to the house with a severe cold.
