used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
ablutionsnounUS /əˈbluːʃənz/
plural of “ablution” — the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading “Doesn’t she get over it at all?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
any person at all
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
composurenounUS /kəmˈpoʊʒər/
steadiness of mind under stress
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
concludingadjectiveUS /kənˈkluːdɪŋ/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
criticismsnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəmz/
plural of “criticism” — disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
decentadjectiveUS /ˈdiːsənt/
socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
dining-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
having the place or position changed
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
downstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
being one more than ten
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Doesn’t she get over it at all?
the act of departing
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
Isabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Doesn’t she get over it at all?
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
muffledadjectiveUS /ˈmʌfəld/
being or made softer or less loud or clear
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading “Doesn’t she get over it at all?
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
publiclyadverbUS /ˈpʌblɪkli/
in a manner accessible to or observable by the public; openly
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
cut with a saw
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
sketchyadjectiveUS /ˈsketʃi/
giving only major points; lacking completeness
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
stewardnounUS /ˈstuːərd/
someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
carry out
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
telegraphedverbUS /ˈteləɡræft/
past form of “telegraph” — send cables, wires, or telegrams
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Aunt Fanny doesn’t look much better,” George said to his mother, a few minutes after their arrival, on the night they got home.
towelnounUS /ˈtaʊəl/
a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading (Some criticisms of his had publicly disturbed the composure of the dining-car steward four hours previously.) “I never saw anybody take things so hard as she seems to,” he observed, his voice muffled by the towel.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
at the time that
From this reading Isabel had not telegraphed; Fanny was taken by surprise when they drove up in a station cab at eleven o’clock; and George instantly demanded “a little decent food.”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He stood with a towel in her doorway, concluding some sketchy ablutions before going downstairs to a supper which Fanny was hastily preparing for them.
