used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
for the reason that
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
Doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Doesn’t Joseph—doesn’t your father know that there wasn’t a word of truth in it?”
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t know much about it, Aunt Elsie, that’s a fact.
conceived of or imagined or hoped for
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
divisible by two
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
opinion or judgment
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading “I don’t know much about it, Aunt Elsie, that’s a fact.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Doesn’t Joseph—doesn’t your father know that there wasn’t a word of truth in it?”
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)
From this reading Doesn’t Joseph—doesn’t your father know that there wasn’t a word of truth in it?”
and nothing more
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
kidsnounUS /kɪdz/
plural of “kid” — a young person of either sex
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
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 I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “I don’t know much about it, Aunt Elsie, that’s a fact.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
and nothing more
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
in the near future
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
inflected form of “ring” — sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
express in words
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a general conscious awareness
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
shadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/
quiet, dark, or concealed
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
a thing, without saying which
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t know much about it, Aunt Elsie, that’s a fact.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
in or at that place or location
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a fact that has been verified
From this reading Doesn’t Joseph—doesn’t your father know that there wasn’t a word of truth in it?”
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
Wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SENSE OF HONOR PRESENTLY he asked a question: “Wasn’t there something pretty shady about him, Aunt Elsie?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading I never knew just how it was, only—well, mother told us kids not to ask father any questions about his oldest brother because it made him feel badly to even think of him, and I know we got to feeling that he wasn’t the sort of uncle to be proud of, to say the least.”
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading Doesn’t Joseph—doesn’t your father know that there wasn’t a word of truth in it?”
but in spite of that
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Then he had a new view of his aunt; her gray eyes flashed as he had not dreamed that they could, and her voice rang: “Do you mean me to understand that that old story is hanging around yet!
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Doesn’t Joseph—doesn’t your father know that there wasn’t a word of truth in it?”
