used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Nan, are you ready?
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
a foundation created to promote the public good (not for assistance to any particular individuals)
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
concertnounUS /ˈkɑːnsərt/
a performance of music by players or singers not involving theatrical staging
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
dickensnounUS /ˈdɪkənz/
a word used in exclamations of confusion
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
emergingadjectiveUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒɪŋ/
coming to maturity
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
Exeter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
NannounUS /næn/
your grandmother
From this reading "Nan, are you ready?
Nan'snounUS /nænz/
possessive form of “nan” — your grandmother
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Your taxi's waiting outside."
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
PenelopenounUS /pəˈneləpi/
(Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity; for 10 years while Odysseus fought the Trojan War she resisted numerous suitors until Odysseus returned and killed them
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
persuasionnounUS /pərˈsweɪʒən/
the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
participate in games or sport
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "Nan, are you ready?
responsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
SAMARITANnounUS /səˈmerɪtən/
a member of the people inhabiting Samaria in biblical times
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/
in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
taxi'snounUS /ˈtæksiz/
possessive form of “taxi” — a car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money
From this reading Your taxi's waiting outside."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GOOD SAMARITAN Penelope tapped sharply at Nan's bedroom door.
TickingnounUS /ˈtɪkɪŋ/
a metallic tapping sound
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
tuppences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Ticking tuppences away like the very dickens, too!" returned Nan, emerging from her room dressed for a journey.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Your taxi's waiting outside."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading It was a week or two later and in response to a wire--and as the result of a good deal of persuasion on the part of Penelope--Nan had accepted an engagement to play at a big charity concert in Exeter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Nan, are you ready?
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Your taxi's waiting outside."
