used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/
aimlessly drifting
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
(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 Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When you hear from Tom it will be from Rio.’
for the reason that
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/
the formal act of approving
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
having unexpected good fortune
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
hold firmly
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading When you hear from Tom it will be from Rio.’
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
homeward-boundadjective
oriented toward home
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading When you hear from Tom it will be from Rio.’
Johnstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
a form of address for a man
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
information about recent and important events
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
not any; not one
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
many times at short intervals
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
RECEIVESverbUS /rəˈsiːvz/
third-person singular of “receive” — get something; come into possession of
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
RionounUS /ˈriːoʊ/
the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
From this reading When you hear from Tom it will be from Rio.’
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
express in words
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
plural of “sea” — a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
transport commercially
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
sightingnounUS /ˈsaɪtɪŋ/
the act of observing
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
and nothing more
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
not in physical motion
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
male cat
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading SHE RECEIVES DREADFUL NEWS The weeks went by.
at the time that
From this reading When you hear from Tom it will be from Rio.’
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading When you hear from Tom it will be from Rio.’
in the company of; together with
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Day after day I eagerly expected to receive a letter from Tom, making sure that he would grasp every chance to send me his love and blessing and all the news about himself from those high seas on which he was still afloat.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You may often sail for many days upon the sea, so I’ve heard your father say, without sighting a vessel.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But no letter reached me, ‘simply because,’ Mr. Johnstone explained, ‘your Tom has not been fortunate enough to fall in with a homeward-bound ship.
