used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
how long something has existed
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
almanacnounUS /ˈɑːlmənæk/
an annual publication including weather forecasts and other miscellaneous information arranged according to the calendar of a given year
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
AndrewnounUS /ˈændruː/
(New Testament) disciple of Jesus; brother of Peter; patron saint of Scotland
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
a relatively permanent inclination to react in a particular way
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Her hair was still black, and her eyesight was quick.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
an occurrence of something
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
deafnessnounUS /ˈdefnəs/
partial or complete loss of hearing
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
dealingsnounUS /ˈdiːlɪŋz/
social or verbal interchange (usually followed by “with”)
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
decayingverbUS /dɪˈkeɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “decay” — lose a stored charge, magnetic flux, or current
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
Drever
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
to come or go into
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
eyesightnounUS /ˈaɪsaɪt/
normal use of the faculty of vision
From this reading Her hair was still black, and her eyesight was quick.
facultiesnounUS /ˈfækəltiz/
plural of “faculty” — one of the inherent cognitive or perceptual powers of the mind
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
start firing a weapon
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
set up or found
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
fryingnounUS /ˈfraɪɪŋ/
cooking in fat or oil in a pan or griddle
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Her hair was still black, and her eyesight was quick.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
hintedverbUS /ˈhɪntəd/
past form of “hint” — drop a hint; intimate by a hint
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
localadjectiveUS /ˈloʊkəl/
relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
not any; not one
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
peatnounUS /piːt/
partially carbonized vegetable matter saturated with water; can be used as a fuel when dried
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
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 We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
punctualadjectiveUS /ˈpʌŋktʃuːəl/
acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
accomplished rapidly and without delay
From this reading Her hair was still black, and her eyesight was quick.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
except for; apart from
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Grace Drever was an active woman, somewhat bent with age, but with no signs of decaying faculties, save in the case of her extreme deafness.
not in physical motion
From this reading Her hair was still black, and her eyesight was quick.
in a strange manner
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
Stromness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
uncannyadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
underworldnounUS /ˈʌndərwɜːrld/
the criminal class
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We found Grace Drever preparing the peat fire for frying the fish.
which person or people
From this reading Her memory for local events was as good as an almanac to the people of Stromness, and there was something strangely uncanny about her nature that was itself almost an excuse to those who hinted that she had dealings with the underworld.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading The good old woman did not hear us enter, but Andrew was a punctual man, and it was with no show of surprise that his mother at length recognized his presence.
