used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
Anastasia's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
ascribedverbUS /əˈskraɪbd/
past form of “ascribe” — attribute or credit to
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
BabylonnounUS /ˈbæbəlɑːn/
the chief city of ancient Mesopotamia and capital of the ancient kingdom of Babylonia
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
ChairmannounUS /ˈtʃermən/
the officer who presides at the meetings of an organization
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
a person who is in charge
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
CommitteenounUS /kəˈmɪti/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
comparedverbUS /kəmˈperd/
past form of “compare” — examine and note the similarities or differences of
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
deem to be
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
cutsnounUS /kʌts/
plural of “cut” — a share of the profits
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
DEVELOPMENTnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
editornounUS /ˈedətər/
a person responsible for the editorial aspects of publication; the person who determines the final content of a text (especially of a newspaper or magazine)
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
faintingverbUS /ˈfeɪntɪŋ/
-ing form of “faint” — pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
favourableadjective
encouraging or approving or pleasing
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
fednounUS /fed/
any federal law-enforcement officer
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
FinancenounUS /fəˈnæns/
the commercial activity of providing funds and capital
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
FirstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
illusionnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒən/
an erroneous mental representation
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
engage in
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
ManhattannounUS /mænˈhætən/
one of the five boroughs of New York City
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
mealsnounUS /miːlz/
plural of “meal” — the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
not any; not one
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
recentadjectiveUS /ˈriːsənt/
new
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
referencenounUS /ˈrefərəns/
a remark that calls attention to something or someone
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
Identical; not different.
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
sketchyadjectiveUS /ˈsketʃi/
giving only major points; lacking completeness
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
snappyadjectiveUS /ˈsnæpi/
apt to speak irritably
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That same evening we held a special meeting of the Finance Committee to consider our improved position.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
up-to-dateadjective
reflecting the latest information or changes
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
precisely as stated
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT I ascribed Anastasia’s fainting spell to the somewhat sketchy meals we had been having; so for the next few weeks I fed her up anxiously.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Be under no illusion,” I observed as Chairman, “with reference to our recent success.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading There are three reasons why this particular article was accepted: First, it was snappy and up-to-date; second, it compared Manhattan and Modern Babylon in a way favourable to the former; third, and chief reason, the editor happened to have some very good cuts that he could work in to make an attractive spread.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It is not, as you might imagine, the turn of the tide.
