used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
belongingnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋ/
happiness felt in a secure relationship
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
next to; at the side of
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
chatsnounUS /tʃæts/
plural of “chat” — an informal conversation
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
confidentialadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnfəˈdenʃəl/
entrusted with private information and the confidence of another
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
Eldridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
divisible by two
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
the organ of sight
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
Harniss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
hiredadjectiveUS /ˈhaɪərd/
having services engaged for a fee
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
latter'snounUS /ˈlætərz/
possessive form of “latter” — the second of two or the second mentioned of two
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
Nickerson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
opportunitiesnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/
plural of “opportunity” — a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
rehearsalsnounUS /rɪˈhɜːrsəlz/
plural of “rehearsal” — a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
cut with a saw
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
setteenoun
a long wooden bench with a back
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
get rid of
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
be seated
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
sketchesnounUS /ˈsketʃəz/
plural of “sketch” — preliminary drawing for later elaboration
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
thereafteradverbUS /ðeˈræftər/
from that time on
From this reading She and Bob met thereafter at the rehearsals.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
Tobias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
the act of using
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
vestrynoun
in the Protestant Episcopal Church: a committee elected by the congregation to work with the churchwardens in managing the temporal affairs of the church
From this reading On one occasion he brought a few of his sketches to the vestry and showed them to her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He told her that he had hired an empty shed belonging to Tobias Eldridge on the beach near the latter’s property at South Harniss and was to use it as a studio during the summer months.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
at the time that
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading There were few opportunities for confidential chats like that on the Nickerson porch during the storm, but occasionally he saw a chance to sit beside her on a settee when the others were busy and whenever he did he seized it.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They were clever--even to a critical eye they would have shown promise--and to her they seemed wonderful.
