used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
activitiesnounUS /ækˈtɪvətiz/
plural of “activity” — any specific behavior
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
(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 "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
(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 But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
billsnounUS /bɪlz/
plural of “bill” — a statute in draft before it becomes law
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
BUYERnounUS /ˈbaɪər/
a person who buys
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
counterfeitersnounUS /ˈkaʊntərfɪtərz/
plural of “counterfeiter” — someone who makes copies illegally
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
disconsolatelyadverb
in grief-stricken loneliness; without comforting circumstances or prospects
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
psychological suffering
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
HardyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrdi/
having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
Hardy'snounUS /ˈhɑːrdiz/
possessive form of “hardy” — United States slapstick comedian who played the pompous and overbearing member of the Laurel and Hardy duo who made many films (1892-1957)
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
jokinglyadverbUS /ˈdʒoʊkɪŋli/
in jest
From this reading "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
living-roomnoun
a room in a private house or establishment where people can sit and talk and relax
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
a particular point in time
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
RUGnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
cut with a saw
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
an educational institution
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
express in words
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Frank and Joe returned from school on Monday afternoon to find their mother in a state of great agitation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE RUG BUYER Two days later an event occurred that brought the activities of the counterfeiters much closer home.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The moment they entered the house they could tell that something unusual had happened, for Mrs. Hardy was sitting by the living-room table gazing disconsolately at a great heap of bills in her lap.
at the time that
From this reading But his expression became serious when he saw the anxiety and distress in Mrs. Hardy's face.
Where'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Where'd you get all the money, mother?" asked Frank, jokingly at first.
