used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
make calm or still
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
causticadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːstɪk/
harsh or corrosive in tone
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
Chelsea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A week after our visit to Chelsea, my father received a letter.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
at any time
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
expensiveadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspensɪv/
high in price or charging high prices
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
forgivableadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡɪvəbəl/
easily excused or forgiven
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
franknessnounUS /ˈfræŋknəs/
the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
grimlyadverbUS /ˈɡrɪmli/
in a grim implacable manner
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
an established custom
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading This was the only reference to the unfortunate past that he permitted himself.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
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 Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A week after our visit to Chelsea, my father received a letter.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
the force of workers available
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
mentioningverbUS /ˈmenʃənɪŋ/
-ing form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
Obad's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
offensesnounUS /əˈfensɪz/
plural of “offense” — a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
and nothing more
From this reading This was the only reference to the unfortunate past that he permitted himself.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading This was the only reference to the unfortunate past that he permitted himself.
inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission
From this reading This was the only reference to the unfortunate past that he permitted himself.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A week after our visit to Chelsea, my father received a letter.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading This was the only reference to the unfortunate past that he permitted himself.
a calm, lengthy, intent consideration
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
plural of “remark” — a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
resultedverbUS /rɪˈzʌltɪd/
past form of “result” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
express in words
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
sorryadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːri/
feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was the only reference to the unfortunate past that he permitted himself.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
uncle'snounUS /ˈʌŋkəlz/
possessive form of “uncle” — the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Besides, as it happened, one of my uncle’s least forgivable offenses--the mentioning of our names to the newspaper men--resulted in an extraordinary stroke of luck.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading This was the only reference to the unfortunate past that he permitted himself.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading A week after our visit to Chelsea, my father received a letter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading A week after our visit to Chelsea, my father received a letter.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading On calm reflection I think he was a little sorry for the caustic frankness of some of his remarks; he was willing to forget them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
a late time of life
From this reading In after years it became a habit with my father to say grimly that Uncle Obad’s Christmas dinner was the most expensive he had ever eaten--it had cost him two thousand pounds.
