used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
ajaradjectiveUS /əˈdʒɑːr/
slightly open
From this reading "Only by leaving the door ajar."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
announceverbUS /əˈnaʊns/
make known; make an announcement
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Only by leaving the door ajar."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Well, do what you can," I said.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Well, do what you can," I said.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading "Only by leaving the door ajar."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
a polite name for any woman
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
the act of departing
From this reading "Only by leaving the door ajar."
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
a particular point in time
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
not one, and not any
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
and nothing more
From this reading "Only by leaving the door ajar."
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
overhearverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhiːr/
hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
and nothing more
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading He simply swung back the door and spoke into the outer room:
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
(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 "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I was curious by what name he would announce the lady; but he used none.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well," said I, "I can't imagine what she wants, but you may admit her--Stay a moment--could you manage to overhear the conversation?"
