used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
(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 The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
a geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
detestedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtestɪd/
treated with dislike or contempt
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Gladys did more than summon the performers.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
Gladys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
housemaidnoun
a female domestic
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
joyfullyadverbUS /ˈdʒɔɪfəli/
in a joyous and gleeful manner
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
a person who carries a message
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Gladys did more than summon the performers.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
organiseverb
bring order and organization to
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
pageantnounUS /ˈpædʒənt/
an elaborate representation of scenes from history etc; usually involves a parade with rich costumes
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
performersnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmərz/
plural of “performer” — an entertainer who performs a dramatic or musical work for an audience
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
rehearsalnounUS /rɪˈhɜːrsəl/
a practice session in preparation for a public performance (as of a play or speech or concert)
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
ReleasedverbUS /riˈliːst/
past form of “release” — release, as from one's grip
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
past form of “rouse” — become active
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
summonverbUS /ˈsʌmən/
call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading Gladys did more than summon the performers.
summoningnounUS /ˈsʌmənɪŋ/
calling up supposed supernatural forces by spells and incantations
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Gladys did more than summon the performers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
tiringadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪrɪŋ/
producing exhaustion
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
unexpectedlyadverbUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪdli/
in a way that was not expected
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Released quite unexpectedly from duties she detested, she sped joyfully round the village, summoning performers to the mouth of the cave at three o'clock.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
(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 Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
at the time that
From this reading Gladys, useless as housemaid or cook, showed that there was something she could do really well when she was turned into a messenger.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Her excited account of the ladies and gentlemen who had come from London to organise the pageant, roused fresh interest in an affair which the people were beginning to find a little tiresome.
which person or people
From this reading The rehearsal in the afternoon was a success, though tiring to all who took part in it.
