used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
put up with something or somebody unpleasant
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
a movable barrier in a fence or wall
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
destroyed or killed
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
and nothing more
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
laughinglyadverbUS /ˈlæfɪŋli/
with laughter; while laughing
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
for more time
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
the force of workers available
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
MinervanounUS /məˈnɜːrvə/
(Roman mythology) goddess of wisdom; counterpart of Greek Athena
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
of an obscure nature
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
the act of departing politely
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
with speed
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
reconnoitered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
serenaders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
express in words
From this reading She had gone on a mysterious mission to see Minerva, laughingly refused to tell him its purpose, but promised to return in a few minutes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
male cat
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
trysting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading Unable to endure the delay longer he started to the house just as his father hastily left by the front door, and quickly passing the men at the gate, hurried down town.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading THE PARTING Tom had grown impatient, waiting in their sheltered seat on the lawn for Helen to return.
at the time that
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He returned to his trysting place and listened while the serenaders sang their first song.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When half an hour had passed without a sign he reconnoitered to find Minerva, and to his surprise she, too, had disappeared.
