used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
Arundel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
plural of “bell” — a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
coldlyadverbUS /ˈkoʊldli/
lacking warmth of feeling; in a cold, unemotional manner
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
a female human offspring
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
a piece of furniture with a writing surface and usually drawers or other compartments
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading What do you want with me?'
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
being one more than ten
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
ELSIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
one of four equal parts
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
with speed
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
freed from illness or injury
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
ringingnounUS /ˈrɪŋɪŋ/
the sound of a bell ringing
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
cut with a saw
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
refrain from harming
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
having a supporting base
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She started and changed colour, but quickly recovered, and replied coldly: 'I did not hear you come in, Elsie.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading What do you want with me?'
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Outside, the bells were ringing for Church: it was a quarter to eleven: Mrs. Arundel was already dressed for Church.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What do you want with me?'
in or at the place that
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading What do you want with me?'
the act of creating written works
From this reading Mrs. Arundel looked up from the desk where she was writing a letter, and saw her daughter standing before her.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading ELSIE AND HER MOTHER 'Can you spare me a few minutes, mother?'
