used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
(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 She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Of course, the Christmas package for Daddy had gone weeks before.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
belatedadjectiveUS /bɪˈleɪtɪd/
after the expected or usual time; delayed
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
box-sled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
plural of “cloud” — any collection of particles (e.g., smoke or dust) or gases that is visible
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
coastingverbUS /ˈkoʊstɪŋ/
-ing form of “coast” — move effortlessly; by force of gravity
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course, the Christmas package for Daddy had gone weeks before.
DaddynounUS /ˈdædi/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading Of course, the Christmas package for Daddy had gone weeks before.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
recognizable; marked
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
the act of departing
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
finishingnounUS /ˈfɪnɪʃɪŋ/
a decorative texture or appearance of a surface (or the substance that gives it that appearance)
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Of course, the Christmas package for Daddy had gone weeks before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
hoververbUS /ˈhʌvər/
be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The mail service to the mine in Mexico was very irregular.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading The mail service to the mine in Mexico was very irregular.
JANICE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading The mail service to the mine in Mexico was very irregular.
engage in
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
Marty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
MexiconounUS /ˈmeksəkoʊ/
a republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810
From this reading The mail service to the mine in Mexico was very irregular.
Middletown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading The mail service to the mine in Mexico was very irregular.
a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
past form of “name” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
the middle of the day
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
numberedverbUS /ˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course, the Christmas package for Daddy had gone weeks before.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
packagenounUS /ˈpækədʒ/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading Of course, the Christmas package for Daddy had gone weeks before.
packagesnounUS /ˈpækədʒəz/
plural of “package” — a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
packedadjectiveUS /pækt/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading She packed an old box-sled of Marty’s full of little packages, all named and numbered, and pulled a coasting cap down over her ears in preparation for departure.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
SeminarynounUS /ˈseməneri/
a private place of education for the young
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading The mail service to the mine in Mexico was very irregular.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
precisely as stated
From this reading LOOKING FOR JANICE The Middletown Seminary had closed for the Christmas holidays as usual; but Janice had been very busy at home finishing her Christmas presents, and sending off belated packages to absent friends.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The mail service to the mine in Mexico was very irregular.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Of course, the Christmas package for Daddy had gone weeks before.
at the time that
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading On this day when the clouds began to hover so close above the mountain tops before noon, Janice decided that she would not risk putting off until Christmas Eve a visit that she must make.
