used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Estelle was his wife as much as his handkerchief was his handkerchief.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
cocoanutnoun
large hard-shelled oval nut with a fibrous husk containing thick white meat surrounding a central cavity filled (when fresh) with fluid or milk
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
Estelle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Estelle was his wife as much as his handkerchief was his handkerchief.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading Estelle was his wife as much as his handkerchief was his handkerchief.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
indelibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdelɪbəl/
cannot be removed or erased
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
institutionnounUS /ˌɪnstɪˈtuːʃən/
an organization founded and united for a specific purpose
From this reading It never occurred to him to shirk the institution of marriage.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
past form of “knock” — deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
From this reading It never occurred to him to shirk the institution of marriage.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Estelle was his wife as much as his handkerchief was his handkerchief.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading It never occurred to him to shirk the institution of marriage.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading It never occurred to him to shirk the institution of marriage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
marked by the reception of pay
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
shirkverbUS /ʃɜːrk/
avoid (one's assigned duties)
From this reading It never occurred to him to shirk the institution of marriage.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading The church, the law, and the army stood in his mind for good, indelible things.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Estelle was his wife as much as his handkerchief was his handkerchief.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading Estelle was his wife as much as his handkerchief was his handkerchief.
Winn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It took Winn a month to realize that he had paid his money, had his shy, and knocked down an empty cocoanut.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He couldn't get his money back, and he must spend the rest of his life carrying the cocoanut about with him.
