used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
in addition
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FATHER AND DAUGHTER.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
in a state of sleep
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
Billie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
butterflyverbUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪ/
flutter like a butterfly
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
channelnounUS /ˈtʃænəl/
a path over which electrical signals can pass
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
a female human offspring
From this reading FATHER AND DAUGHTER.
the first light of day
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
to a great depth psychologically or emotionally
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
one or the other of two
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
Elinor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
apart from; not including
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading FATHER AND DAUGHTER.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
frivolousadjectiveUS /ˈfrɪvələs/
not serious in content or attitude or behavior
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
heatedadjectiveUS /ˈhiːtəd/
made warm or hot (“het” is a dialectal variant of “heated”)
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
infrequentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfriːkwənt/
not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
Nancy'snounUS /ˈnænsiz/
possessive form of “nancy” — a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
cut with a saw
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
testamentnounUS /ˈtestəmənt/
a profession of belief
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
a special situation
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
precisely as stated
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Nancy, however, little frivolous butterfly, was not given to reading her testament or prayer book either, except at very infrequent intervals, certainly never early in the morning when other people were asleep.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
at the time that
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
which person or people
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Billie wondered and wondered what more could have happened to turn Nancy's thought into this unusual channel.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The first thing Billie saw next morning when she opened her eyes on a beautiful but heated world, was Nancy seated by the window reading a book, and at a second glance, she recognized it as her own prayer book.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If it had been Mary or Elinor who had risen at dawn to read the prayer book, Billie would not have been in the least surprised, for one was deeply religious, and the other also, though she never talked much about it.
