used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
react verbally
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
any thing at all
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
banteringadjectiveUS /ˈbæntərɪŋ/
cleverly amusing in tone
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
to an extreme degree
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Something had happened.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
Imogene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
Lee'snounUS /liːz/
possessive form of “lee” — United States filmmaker whose works explore the richness of black culture in America (born in 1957)
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
without good reason
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
in spite of what has just been said
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
a brief written record
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Something had happened.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ruth had driven during the afternoon to see him and returned exceedingly put out.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
a special situation
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
the act of using
From this reading Imogene had been startled by a note in Lee's answer to her bantering question that she never before had heard him use.
communicated in words
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading If anything had occurred, Imogene hoped it was--well, one certain thing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
the words that are spoken
From this reading Though his words were uttered lightly, there nevertheless was a hard ring to them, a grate, as if his teeth were on edge.
