used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
rid of obstructions
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
persuaded of; very sure
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
DorisnounUS /ˈdɔːrəs/
(Greek mythology) wife of Nereus and mother of the Nereids
From this reading Doris must move.
Doris's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
communicated in words
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
greetingsnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/
plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
hazyadjectiveUS /ˈheɪzi/
filled or abounding with fog or mist
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
hostessnounUS /ˈhoʊstəs/
a woman host
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
Laurie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
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 What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
involving the mind or an intellectual process
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Doris must move.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He had come to the conclusion that something must be done.
make square
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
not in physical motion
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
stridenounUS /straɪd/
a step in walking or running
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
studionounUS /ˈstuːdioʊ/
workplace for the teaching or practice of an art
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
urgencynounUS /ˈɜːrdʒənsi/
the state of being urgent; an earnest and insistent necessity
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He was so convinced of the urgency of this step that he brought up the subject almost before the greetings of guest and hostess were over.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN INVITATION That evening Laurie walked across the square to Doris's studio with a decision in his stride which definitely expressed his mental attitude.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading What this something would be was still hazy in his mind, but the first step at least seemed clear.
