used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
in the past
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
AstornounUS /ˈæstər/
British politician (born in the United States) who was the first woman to sit in the British House of Commons (1879-1964)
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
balladsnounUS /ˈbælədz/
plural of “ballad” — a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading 'Sir--will you--please, sir--will you buy some ballads?'
blue-eyedadjective
favorite
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
Buttoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading 'Sir--will you--please, sir--will you buy some ballads?'
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
being one more than seven
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
a boy or man
From this reading 'Ballads! a little fellow like you selling ballads at this time of night?'
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading 'Ballads! a little fellow like you selling ballads at this time of night?'
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading 'Ballads! a little fellow like you selling ballads at this time of night?'
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
NovembernounUS /noʊˈvembər/
the month following October and preceding December
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
Paul'snounUS /pɔːlz/
possessive form of “paul” — United States feminist (1885-1977)
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading 'Sir--will you--please, sir--will you buy some ballads?'
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
sellingnounUS /ˈselɪŋ/
the exchange of goods for an agreed sum of money
From this reading 'Ballads! a little fellow like you selling ballads at this time of night?'
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
term of address for a man
From this reading 'Sir--will you--please, sir--will you buy some ballads?'
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
sobsnounUS /sɑːbz/
plural of “sob” — a dyspneic condition
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading 'Sir--will you--please, sir--will you buy some ballads?'
soundingadjectiveUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋ/
appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
stormyadjectiveUS /ˈstɔːrmi/
(especially of weather) affected or characterized by storms or commotion
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading 'Ballads! a little fellow like you selling ballads at this time of night?'
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the topmost one of two
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading As I closed the outer door, a small voice at my elbow, in a tone broken by sobs, said:
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The clock of St. Paul's was sounding eight.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
which person or people
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading 'Sir--will you--please, sir--will you buy some ballads?'
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
produce a literary work
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
a late time of life
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
but in spite of that
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'Sir--will you--please, sir--will you buy some ballads?'
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Buttoning my outside coat closely about me--for it was a cold, stormy night in November--I descended the steps of the Astor House to visit, in the upper part of the city, the blue-eyed young woman who is looking over my shoulder while I write this--it was nearly twenty years ago, reader, but she is young yet!
