used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
appointmentnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənt/
the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
arrangeverbUS /ərˈeɪndʒ/
put into a proper or systematic order
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
distributingverbUS /dɪˈstrɪbjuːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “distribute” — administer or bestow, as in small portions
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
donkeynounUS /ˈdɑːŋki/
the symbol of the Democratic Party; introduced in cartoons by Thomas Nast in 1874
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
employernounUS /emˈplɔɪər/
a person or firm that employs workers
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
Forfar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
fulfillingverbUS /fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/
inflected form of “fulfil” — put in effect
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
Geoffrey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
the act of departing
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
HonourableadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnərəbəl/
worthy of being honored; entitled to honor and respect
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
ironynounUS /ˈaɪrəni/
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
leisurelyadverbUS /ˈliːzərli/
in an unhurried way or at one's convenience
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
the literary culture
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
MansfieldnounUS /ˈmænzfiːld/
New Zealand writer of short stories (1888-1923)
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
Mansfield's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
immediately following in time or order
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
paradisenounUS /ˈperədaɪs/
any place of complete bliss and delight and peace
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
passportnounUS /ˈpæspɔːrt/
any authorization to pass or go somewhere
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
postmannounUS /ˈpoʊstmən/
a man who delivers the mail
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
make a promise or commitment
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
precisely, exactly
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
roundsnounUS /raʊndz/
plural of “round” — a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
express in words
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
secretariesnounUS /ˈsekrəteriz/
plural of “secretary” — a person who is head of an administrative department of government
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
in the near future
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
refrain from harming
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
carry out
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “This is the irony of fate!” said Mansfield to himself the next morning.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
vacantadjectiveUS /ˈveɪkənt/
void of intelligence or thought
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A few minutes before, he had placed in Mansfield’s hands that which should have been his passport to paradise.
a Caucasian
From this reading The English mail had come in, and the city postman, going his leisurely rounds on his white donkey, was engaged in distributing the letters it brought.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would Mansfield kindly arrange to take up his new duties as soon as his present employer could spare him?
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading The Right Honourable Geoffrey Forfar wrote to say that one of his secretaries had accepted an appointment under Government, and he had much pleasure in fulfilling his promise with regard to the vacant post.
