used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
(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 “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But what became of all the old ones?
for the reason that
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
a youthful male person
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
cushionnounUS /ˈkʊʃən/
a mechanical damper; absorbs energy of sudden impulses
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
at any time
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading WHERE THE PINS GO.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
lapelnounUS /ləˈpel/
lap at the front of a coat; continuation of the coat collar
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading But what became of all the old ones?
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
and nothing more
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
pinverbUS /pɪn/
to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
PINSnounUS /pɪnz/
plural of “pin” — a piece of jewelry that is pinned onto the wearer's garment
From this reading WHERE THE PINS GO.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
caught or fixed
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHERE THE PINS GO.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
precisely as stated
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But what became of all the old ones?
in or at the place that
From this reading WHERE THE PINS GO.
which person or people
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
in the company of; together with
From this reading If he wanted a pin the only sure place to find one was on his mother’s cushion, because that was kept filled with new ones.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading “I wonder where all the pins go,” said Harry to himself, as he examined the lapel of his coat, where he was sure he had stuck two or three that very morning.
past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something
From this reading Of course Harry was not the first boy who had thus wondered, but it was the first time the question had ever occurred to him.
