used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
react verbally
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
any thing at all
From this reading A letter might be anything from a bill to a billet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A letter might be anything from a bill to a billet.
a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading A letter might be anything from a bill to a billet.
billetnounUS /ˈbɪlət/
a short personal letter
From this reading A letter might be anything from a bill to a billet.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But a telegram!
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
dramaticadjectiveUS /drəˈmætɪk/
suitable to or characteristic of drama
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
epistles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
expectationnounUS /ˌekspekˈteɪʃən/
belief about (or mental picture of) the future
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A letter might be anything from a bill to a billet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
hushedadjectiveUS /hʌʃt/
in a softened tone
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
imaginingverbUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənɪŋ/
-ing form of “imagine” — form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading A letter--pooh!
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A letter might be anything from a bill to a billet.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
Nevins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
Orson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
pictorialadjectiveUS /pɪkˈtɔːriəl/
pertaining to or consisting of pictures
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
pooh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A letter--pooh!
a feeling of intense anger
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
scintillatingadjective
brilliantly clever
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading But a telegram!
telegramsnounUS /ˈteləɡræmz/
plural of “telegram” — a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
theatricallyadverbUS /θiˈætrɪkəliː/
in a stagy and theatrical manner
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Telegrams struck Vane as the most dramatic of epistles; there was always a certain pictorial effect in tearing open the envelope, in imagining the hushed expectation of an audience.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
VanenounUS /veɪn/
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
at the time that
From this reading Orson Vane, scintillating theatrically by the sea, was in a fine rage when Nevins ceased to answer his telegrams.
