used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a-coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’re sure it ain’t the curate, a-coming begging?”
ain't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’re sure it ain’t the curate, a-coming begging?”
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a distinct feature or element in a problem
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading “You’re sure it ain’t the curate, a-coming begging?”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a small house with a single story
From this reading A visitor was a very rare thing at Rose Cottage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Oh, no,” cried the little maid, “a tall, grand gentleman, like a lord.
curatenounUS /ˈkjʊrət/
a person authorized to conduct religious worship
From this reading “You’re sure it ain’t the curate, a-coming begging?”
decorousadjectiveUS /ˈdekərəs/
characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
demurelyadverbUS /dɪˈmjʊrli/
in a demure manner
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
the organ of sight
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a man of refinement
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading “Oh, no,” cried the little maid, “a tall, grand gentleman, like a lord.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
Hewitt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
instantaneouslyadverbUS /ˌɪnstənˈtæniəsli/
without any delay
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “You’re sure it ain’t the curate, a-coming begging?”
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading “Oh, no,” cried the little maid, “a tall, grand gentleman, like a lord.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
a female domestic
From this reading “Oh, no,” cried the little maid, “a tall, grand gentleman, like a lord.
come together
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
not any; not one
From this reading “Oh, no,” cried the little maid, “a tall, grand gentleman, like a lord.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “Oh, no,” cried the little maid, “a tall, grand gentleman, like a lord.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
preynounUS /preɪ/
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness
From this reading A visitor was a very rare thing at Rose Cottage.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading A visitor was a very rare thing at Rose Cottage.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
spidernounUS /ˈspaɪdər/
predatory arachnid with eight legs, two poison fangs, two feelers, and usually two silk-spinning organs at the back end of the body; they spin silk to make cocoons for eggs or traps for prey
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “You’re sure it ain’t the curate, a-coming begging?”
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading “Oh, no,” cried the little maid, “a tall, grand gentleman, like a lord.
express in words
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
a special situation
From this reading A visitor was a very rare thing at Rose Cottage.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
precisely as stated
From this reading A visitor was a very rare thing at Rose Cottage.
someone who visits
From this reading She had been made aware by her little servant a few minutes before that “a gentleman” was coming up to the door, and had instantaneously prepared to meet the visitor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Old Miss Hewitt sat in her parlour, if not like a fat spider watching for the fly, at least like a large cat seated demurely, with an eye upon her natural prey, though her aspect was more decorous and composed than words could tell.
You're
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “You’re sure it ain’t the curate, a-coming begging?”
