used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading And now, what are you going to do?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
anything that covers or conceals
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
composurenounUS /kəmˈpoʊʒər/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
CONSEQUENCESnounUS /ˈkɑːnsəkwensəz/
plural of “consequence” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And now, what are you going to do?"
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
put on clothes
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
the act of departing
From this reading And now, what are you going to do?"
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
half-truthnoun
a partially true statement intended to deceive or mislead
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
Hedderwick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
a particular point in time
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading And now, what are you going to do?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
and nothing more
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
Robert'snounUS /ˈrɑːbərts/
possessive form of “robert” — United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
express in words
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
shinyadjectiveUS /ˈʃaɪni/
reflecting light
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
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 A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And now, what are you going to do?"
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
the upper part of anything
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading At Robert's command he turned with a violent start: the lady started, too, but in a moment recovered her composure and laughed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A TALE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES There were two people in the room as Mr. Hedderwick opened the door, a man and a lady.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And now, what are you going to do?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The latter, he noted with amazement, was in evening dress, a light cloak being thrown over it; the former wore the ordinary morning dress of a man about town, neat, though a little shiny, and on his head was a top hat.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Good morning," she said cheerfully: "I can't say this is an unexpected pleasure, for that would be only a half-truth.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading And now, what are you going to do?"
