used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading “Is anything the matter?” she asked anxiously.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
any thing at all
From this reading “Is anything the matter?” she asked anxiously.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “Is anything the matter?” she asked anxiously.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
a line of approach
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
Brewster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her morning visitor was Elsie Brewster.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
carnationsnounUS /kɑːrˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “carnation” — Eurasian plant with pink to purple-red spice-scented usually double flowers; widely cultivated in many varieties and many colors
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her morning visitor was Elsie Brewster.
the organ of sight
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Then she sprang to her feet and ran toward the house.
a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
gardenernounUS /ˈɡɑːrdənər/
someone who takes care of a garden
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
Gitanoun
(Hinduism) the sacred “song of God” composed about 200 BC and incorporated into the Mahabharata (a Sanskrit epic); contains a discussion between Krishna and the Indian hero Arjuna on human nature and the purpose of life
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Then she sprang to her feet and ran toward the house.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Is anything the matter?” she asked anxiously.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading “Is anything the matter?” she asked anxiously.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Her morning visitor was Elsie Brewster.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
and nothing more
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
plantingnounUS /ˈplæntɪŋ/
the act of fixing firmly in place
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Then she sprang to her feet and ran toward the house.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Then she sprang to her feet and ran toward the house.
summarilyadverbUS /səˈmerɪli/
without delay; in a summary manner
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
taxiverbUS /ˈtæksi/
travel slowly
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading It was only ten o’clock and Elsie had never accepted an invitation to luncheon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then she sprang to her feet and ran toward the house.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Then she sprang to her feet and ran toward the house.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
an act of aggression (as one against a person who resists)
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
someone who visits
From this reading Her morning visitor was Elsie Brewster.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
which person or people
From this reading Gita, who was on her knees in the garden planting carnations, her favorite flower, but keeping one eye on Andrew and the new gardener, prepared to act summarily at any sign of violence on the old man’s part, turned her head as she heard a taxi rattle up the avenue.
