used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
(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 I opened the note listlessly, and read,-- "I have watched for you all the morning.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
fearless and daring
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
feignedadjectiveUS /feɪnd/
not genuine
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
at a previous time
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
hastyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪsti/
excessively quick
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I opened the note listlessly, and read,-- "I have watched for you all the morning.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "For me,--yes; it is my name."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "For me,--yes; it is my name."
legibleadjectiveUS /ˈledʒəbəl/
(of handwriting, print, etc.) capable of being read or deciphered
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
listlesslyadverbUS /ˈlɪstləsli/
in a listless manner
From this reading I opened the note listlessly, and read,-- "I have watched for you all the morning.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "For me,--yes; it is my name."
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading I opened the note listlessly, and read,-- "I have watched for you all the morning.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "For me,--yes; it is my name."
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading "For me,--yes; it is my name."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
a brief written record
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
many times at short intervals
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading I opened the note listlessly, and read,-- "I have watched for you all the morning.
perpendicularnounUS /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/
a straight line at right angles to another line
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading I opened the note listlessly, and read,-- "I have watched for you all the morning.
accept (someone) to be what is claimed or accept his power and authority
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
only a very short time before
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
in a strange manner
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
waiternounUS /ˈweɪtər/
a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading I opened the note listlessly, and read,-- "I have watched for you all the morning.
belonging to which person
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
withaladverb
despite anything to the contrary (usually preceding a concession)
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading But formerly the writing was cramped, stiff, perpendicular (a feigned hand, though I guessed not it was feigned); now it was hasty, irregular, impatient, scarce a letter formed, scarce a word that seemed finished, and yet strangely legible withal, as the hand writing of a bold man almost always is.
the act of creating written works
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
an affirmative
From this reading "For me,--yes; it is my name."
but in spite of that
From this reading I did not recognize the handwriting, and yet the note was from one whose writing I had often seen.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Please, sir, be this note for you?" asked the waiter.
