used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FRESH CLEW.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
CLEWnoun
a ball of yarn or cord or thread
From this reading A FRESH CLEW.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
courthousenounUS /ˈkɔːrthaʊs/
a government building that houses the offices of a county government
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
Covington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading A FRESH CLEW.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/
past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
and nothing more
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
not any; not one
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
come into possession of
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
Pettigrew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
any factual evidence that helps to establish the truth of something
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
express a supposition
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
bound or secured closely
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
tonguesnounUS /tʌŋz/
plural of “tongue” — a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Our tongues are tied until we can obtain some sort of proof to go upon.
verdictnounUS /ˈvɜːrdɪkt/
(law) the findings of a jury on issues of fact submitted to it for decision; can be used in formulating a judgment
From this reading "Just the verdict that I expected," Mr. Pettigrew said, as he and the ladies issued from the courthouse.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
at the time that
From this reading "I suppose that it is for the best, Mr. Pettigrew, but it seems hard, when we could have said so much, to be obliged to hold our tongues altogether."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "No doubt you will have an opportunity later on, Miss Covington.
