used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
AbsorbedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɔːrbd/
giving or marked by complete attention to
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
(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 “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
BurnhamnounUS /ˈbɜːrnəm/
United States architect who designed the first important skyscraper with a skeleton (1846-1912)
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading “Cook and I just carried out her orders, ma’am.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading “Cook and I just carried out her orders, ma’am.
criticaladjectiveUS /ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
dishesnounUS /ˈdɪʃəz/
plural of “dish” — a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
elbownounUS /ˈelboʊ/
hinge joint between the forearm and upper arm and the corresponding joint in the forelimb of a quadruped
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
the organ of sight
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
footstepnounUS /ˈfʊtstep/
the sound of a step of someone walking
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
heartyadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːrti/
showing warm and heartfelt friendliness
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
to a considerable degree
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
housekeeper's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Cook and I just carried out her orders, ma’am.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
inspectingverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪŋ/
-ing form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
United States labor leader (born in Ireland) who helped to found the Industrial Workers of the World (1830-1930)
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
and nothing more
From this reading “Cook and I just carried out her orders, ma’am.
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
ma'amnounUS /mæm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading “Cook and I just carried out her orders, ma’am.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading “Cook and I just carried out her orders, ma’am.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “Cook and I just carried out her orders, ma’am.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
spillingverbUS /ˈspɪlɪŋ/
-ing form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
stairnounUS /ster/
support consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
stammered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
steaknounUS /steɪk/
a slice of meat cut from the fleshy part of an animal or large fish
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
strikesnounUS /straɪks/
plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
suitenounUS /swiːt/
a musical composition of several movements only loosely connected
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
TELEGRAMnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
traynounUS /treɪ/
an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
not expected or anticipated
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
WardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE TELEGRAM JONES, on his way up the stairs to the housekeeper’s suite of rooms on the third floor, was startled by the unexpected appearance of Mrs. Burnham at his elbow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Absorbed in carrying the heavily laden tray without spilling its contents he had failed to hear her footstep on the stair behind him.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading “Mrs. Ward sent down word she particularly wanted a steak and all the rest,” stammered Jones.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “It strikes me, Jones, that you have a hearty meal there for a sick woman,” she remarked, inspecting the hot dishes with a critical eye.
