used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
attentionsnounUS /əˈtenʃənz/
plural of “attention” — the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
Bertha
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
BethnounUS /beθ/
the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
demonstrativenounUS /dɪˈmɑːnstrətɪv/
a pronoun that points out an intended referent
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
effusiveadjectiveUS /ˈefjuːsɪv/
uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
effusivenessnoun
a friendly open trait of a talkative person
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
morally objectionable behavior
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
gratificationnounUS /ˌɡrætəfəˈkeɪʃən/
state of being gratified or satisfied
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
joyouslyadverb
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
take the midday meal
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
and nothing more
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
outcomenounUS /ˈaʊtkʌm/
something that results
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
Petterick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
Slane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
past form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
required or under orders
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At first she had supposed that this effusiveness was the outcome of affection for her; but when she began to know him, she perceived that it was only the expression of some personal gratification.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He had been quite demonstrative in his attentions to her during the time that Bertha Petterick stayed in the house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
turpitudenounUS /ˈtɜːrpɪtuːd/
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
(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 He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
at the time that
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was always effusive to her when evil things went well with him.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading When Beth returned to Slane, Dan received her so joyously she wondered what particularly successful piece of turpitude he had been busy about.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "By the way, there is a letter for you," he said, when they were at lunch.
