used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
(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 He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
Billy'snounUS /ˈbɪliz/
possessive form of “billy” — a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
Black'snounUS /blæks/
possessive form of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
campingnounUS /ˈkæmpɪŋ/
the act of encamping and living in tents in a camp
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
claimedverbUS /kleɪmd/
past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
clothingnounUS /ˈkloʊðɪŋ/
a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
costumenounUS /kɑːˈstuːm/
the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
day'snounUS /deɪz/
possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
at any time
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
FairylandnounUS /ˈferilænd/
something existing solely in the imagination (but often mistaken for reality)
From this reading In Fairyland MR.
a social unit living together
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
set up or found
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In Fairyland MR.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
Lakeville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
misfitnounUS /ˈmɪsfɪt/
someone unable to adapt to their circumstances
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
a form of address for a man
From this reading In Fairyland MR.
not any; not one
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
established beyond doubt
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
Saunders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
dependable
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BLACK, hearing nothing from Billy's people and knowing that Saunders was an able guard for his precious family, remained away for three days; for he found a number of matters in Lakeville that claimed his attention.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
in or to any place at all
From this reading Wherever he went he was followed by devoted Billy and the no less devoted girls.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading He paid his fine cheerfully, and declared ever afterwards that the day's sport was worth all that it had cost him.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Mr. Saunders proved a most delightful companion, in spite of his misfit clothing; for the tall, slender young man had borrowed stout Mr. Black's camping costume.
