used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
(of mail) marked with a destination
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
appointmentsnounUS /əˈpɔɪntmənts/
plural of “appointment” — the act of putting a person into a non-elective position
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
bedtimenounUS /ˈbedtaɪm/
the time you go to bed
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
plural of “daughter” — a female human offspring
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
dozedverbUS /doʊzd/
past form of “doze” — sleep lightly or for a short period of time
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
elaborateadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæbrət/
marked by complexity and richness of detail
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
(of persons) excessively affected by emotion
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
FlintnounUS /flɪnt/
a hard kind of stone; a form of silica more opaque than chalcedony
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
a social unit living together
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
interferedverbUS /ˌɪntərˈfɪrd/
past form of “interfere” — come between so as to be hindrance or obstacle
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
Josiah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
knitting-work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
a room where books are kept
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
not any; not one
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
postmarknounUS /ˈpoʊstmɑːrk/
a cancellation mark stamped on mail by postal officials; indicates the post office and date of mailing
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
PrimrosenounUS /ˈprɪmroʊz/
any of numerous short-stemmed plants of the genus Primula having tufted basal leaves and showy flowers clustered in umbels or heads
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
with little or no delay
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
on the contrary
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
precisely as stated
From this reading Old Josiah Flint had been very particular about his household appointments and habits, and since his death his daughters had made no changes.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dinner at Primrose Hall was rather an elaborate meal, and was always served promptly at six o'clock.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading After dinner the ladies always went to the library and read the village newspaper, or dozed over their knitting-work until bedtime.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was addressed in what was evidently a man's hand, and the two good ladies were greatly excited.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But one evening in early June this routine was interfered with, by the arrival of a letter bearing a foreign postmark.
