used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
in the past
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
a committee having supervisory powers
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
canalnounUS /kəˈnæl/
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
datedadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪtɪd/
marked by features of the immediate and usually discounted past
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
decaynounUS /dɪˈkeɪ/
the process of gradually becoming inferior
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
disappointingly unsuccessful
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
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 _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
gondolanounUS /ˈɡɑːndələ/
a low flat-bottomed freight car with fixed sides but no roof
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
greenestadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːnɪst/
superlative of “green” — of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
an old word meaning “to this place”
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
the formation of a mental image of something that is not perceived as real and is not present to the senses
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
in other respects or ways
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
by chance
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
like better; value more highly
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
on the contrary
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
get something; come into possession of
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
recollectverbUS /ˌrekəˈlekt/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
VenicenounUS /ˈvenəs/
the provincial capital of Veneto; built on 118 islands within a lagoon in the Gulf of Venice; has canals instead of streets; one of Italy's major ports and a famous tourist attraction
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
VeronanounUS /vərˈoʊnə/
a city in Veneto on the River Adige
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading It is my intention to remain at Venice during the winter, probably, as it has always been (next to the east) the greenest island of my imagination.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It has not disappointed me; though its evident decay would, perhaps, have that effect upon others.
the act of creating written works
From this reading _My_ gondola is, at this present, waiting for me on the canal; but I prefer writing to you in the house, it being autumn--and rather an English autumn than otherwise.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
a late time of life
From this reading Some three years ago, or it may be more, I recollect you telling me that you had received a letter from our friend, Sam, dated "On board his gondola."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I wrote to you from Verona the other day in my progress hither, which letter I hope you will receive.
