used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
in addition
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
Barbara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
move up and down repeatedly
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
an employee who performs clerical work (e.g., keeps records or accounts)
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
detainedverbUS /dɪˈteɪnd/
past form of “detain” — deprive of freedom; take into confinement
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
easy-going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
set up or found
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading But he hoped to stop on his way home in three or four days.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
Graysons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
Hiram
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading But he hoped to stop on his way home in three or four days.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading But he hoped to stop on his way home in three or four days.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
Janet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
Magill's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
Mason'snounUS /ˈmeɪsənz/
possessive form of “mason” — American Revolutionary leader from Virginia whose objections led to the drafting of the Bill of Rights (1725-1792)
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
by chance
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
McCord
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
MoscownounUS /ˈmɑːskoʊ/
a city of central European Russia; formerly capital of both the Soviet Union and Soviet Russia; since 1991 the capital of the Russian Federation
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
a brief written record
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But he hoped to stop on his way home in three or four days.
pailnounUS /peɪl/
a roughly cylindrical vessel that is open at the top
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
in the near future
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
RachelnounUS /ˈreɪtʃəl/
(Old Testament) the second wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
the season of growth
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading But he hoped to stop on his way home in three or four days.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
in or at that place or location
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading But he hoped to stop on his way home in three or four days.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
male cat
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
Tom'snounUS /tɑːmz/
possessive form of “tom” — male cat
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
which person or people
From this reading This note was brought from Moscow by Bob McCord, who also brought Janet.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The days went by without Tom's showing by any sign that he cared to see Rachel, and to Barbara's grief the days went by without Hiram Mason's promised arrival at the Graysons'.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Maybe she would," answered Tom, as he picked up the pail and started to the spring for water by way of cutting off all further talk on the question.
the act of creating written works
From this reading But there came presently a note from Hiram to Barbara, saying that he had been detained by the necessity he was under of finishing Magill's writing, and by the difficulty he found in getting his pay from the easy-going clerk for what he had done.
