used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
(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 "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
BrownenounUS /braʊn/
English illustrator of several of Dickens' novels (1815-1882)
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
distinctadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɪŋkt/
(often followed by “from”) not alike; different in nature or quality
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Is everything ready?"
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The owner of the restaurant received him personally.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Is everything ready?"
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
Lallemand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
ludicrousadjectiveUS /ˈluːdəkrəs/
broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
a particular point in time
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
(law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading The owner of the restaurant received him personally.
personallyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrsənəli/
as yourself
From this reading The owner of the restaurant received him personally.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Is everything ready?"
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The owner of the restaurant received him personally.
rendezvousnounUS /ˈrɑːndɪvuː/
a meeting planned at a certain time and place
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
restaurantnounUS /ˈrestərɑːnt/
a building where people go to eat
From this reading The owner of the restaurant received him personally.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The dinner that evening must be counted a distinct success.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading Browne was the first to arrive at the rendezvous, and it was not wonderful that he should have been, considering that he had spent the whole of his day waiting for that moment.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Well, Lallemand," said Browne, with an anxiety that was almost ludicrous, "how are your preparations?
