used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
(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 She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
argumentativelyadverb
in a disputatious manner
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
AshtonnounUS /ˈæʃtən/
British choreographer (1906-1988)
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
someone who is a detective
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
diningnounUS /ˈdaɪnɪŋ/
the act of eating dinner
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
discontentedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪd/
showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
one or the other of two
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
apart from; not including
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
destroyed or killed
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
not any; not one
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
preferredadjectiveUS /prəˈfɜːrd/
more desirable than another
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
purposesnounUS /ˈpɜːrpəsəz/
plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
express in words
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
shelvesnounUS /ʃelvz/
Plural of shelf; the vast wooden or stone structures holding archives.
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
the state of being asleep
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
having a supporting base
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
stayingverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
a special situation
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
unconsciouslyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːnʃəsli/
without awareness
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
(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 You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She and Esther were standing in a pretty living room that held a grand piano, shelves of books, a desk and reading table; indeed, a room that served all purposes except that of sleeping and dining.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading You know perfectly well I might have gone south with mother for the winter if I had not a thousand times preferred staying with you.”
in the company of; together with
From this reading “You talk as though I did not like living here with you and Dick.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet as she finished her speech, quite unconsciously Betty sighed.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “No, I am not in the least unhappy or discontented either, Esther; I don’t know how you can say such a thing,” Betty Ashton answered argumentatively.
