used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
accessorynounUS /ækˈsesəri/
clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
(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 The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
a quantity of money
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
(psychiatry) a relatively permanent state of worry and nervousness occurring in a variety of mental disorders, usually accompanied by compulsive behavior or attacks of panic
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
Billie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
disasternounUS /dɪˈzæstər/
a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
endedadjectiveUS /ˈendəd/
having come or been brought to a conclusion
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
endingnounUS /ˈendɪŋ/
the end of a word (a suffix or inflectional ending or final morpheme)
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
entering-wedge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/
a journey taken for pleasure
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
devoid of good sense or judgment
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
only a very short time before
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
hopefulnessnounUS /ˈhoʊpfəlnɪs/
full of hope
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
inducedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈduːst/
brought about or caused; not spontaneous
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
not any; not one
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
on one occasion
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
PaxtonnounUS /ˈpækstən/
English architect (1801-1865)
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
playfullyadverbUS /ˈpleɪfəli/
in a playful manner
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
responsibleadjectiveUS /riˈspɑːnsəbəl/
worthy of or requiring responsibility or trust; or held accountable
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
carry out
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Billie, is this the road to the left?" asked Edward Paxton, suddenly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
transactionnounUS /trænˈzækʃən/
the act of transacting within or between groups (as carrying on commercial activities)
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
unburdenedadjectiveUS /ənˈbɜːrdənd/
not burdened with difficulties or responsibilities
From this reading Billie, having unburdened her mind, felt much happier.
precisely as stated
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
at the time that
From this reading She remembered once her father had playfully called her "a little accessory before the fact," when she had induced him to take her on a foolish excursion that had ended in disaster.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The whole situation had come about of course by her own careless words spoken in anger, but after all she could hardly be called a responsible party to the transaction, a phrase which sounded very legal to her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Certainly it all sounded very much like a romantic tale, and she did hope it would have a happy ending, but no amount of hopefulness could keep that little entering-wedge of anxiety from finding its way into her mind.
