used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
absorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
absorbingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
AlexandernounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændər/
European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
Alexander'snounUS /ˌæləɡˈzændərz/
possessive form of “alexander” — European herb somewhat resembling celery widely naturalized in Britain coastal regions and often cultivated as a potherb
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
Alison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
Antiquarianadjective
of or relating to persons who study or deal in antiques or antiquities
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading But, with the beginning of February, matters improved.
BELATEDadjectiveUS /bɪˈleɪtɪd/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But, with the beginning of February, matters improved.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
CONCLAVEnounUS /ˈkɑːnkleɪv/
a confidential or secret meeting
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
confinementnounUS /kənˈfaɪnmənt/
concluding state of pregnancy; from the onset of contractions to the birth of a child
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
the act of discovering something
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
divisible by two
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
examinationsnounUS /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃənz/
plural of “examination” — the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading But, with the beginning of February, matters improved.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
improvedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvd/
made more desirable or valuable or profitable; especially made ready for use or marketing
From this reading But, with the beginning of February, matters improved.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
plural of “interest” — a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
and nothing more
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
long-agoadjective
belonging to time long gone
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
Margaret
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
plural of “matter” — a vaguely specified concern
From this reading But, with the beginning of February, matters improved.
midwinternounUS /ˈmɪˈdwɪntər/
the middle of winter
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
not any; not one
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
many times at short intervals
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
researchesnounUS /riˈsɜːrtʃɪz/
plural of “research” — systematic investigation to establish facts
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
restlessadjectiveUS /ˈrestləs/
worried and uneasy
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
severeradjectiveUS /ˈsevɪrər/
comparative of “severe” — intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
solvingnounUS /ˈsɑːlvɪŋ/
finding a solution to a problem
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
stimulatingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪŋ/
rousing or quickening activity or the senses
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
precisely as stated
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BELATED DISCOVERY AND A SOLEMN CONCLAVE During the month following Alexander's researches into history, no further progress was made in solving the mystery that absorbed the Antiquarian Club.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
weeadjectiveUS /wiː/
(used informally) very small
From this reading Under the combined strain of confinement to the house and lack of any further stimulating excitement, she grew very restless and just a wee bit unhappy.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
wheeledadjectiveUS /wiːld/
having wheels; often used in combination
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The Christmas holidays came and went, and the severer winter weather held the city in such a grip that often, for days on a stretch, Margaret could not be wheeled out in her chair.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The girls and Alexander were very busy with their midwinter examinations, and could not give much time to other interests, even such absorbing ones as the long-ago Alison and her fate.
