used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
blendverbUS /blend/
combine into one
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
BrucenounUS /bruːs/
Australian physician and bacteriologist who described the bacterium that causes undulant fever or brucellosis (1855-1931)
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
Grayson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
labouredadjective
lacking natural ease
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
matchesnounUS /ˈmætʃəz/
plural of “match” — lighter consisting of a thin piece of wood or cardboard tipped with combustible chemical; ignites with friction
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
as might be expected
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
nessnounUS /nes/
a strip of land projecting into a body of water
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
information about recent and important events
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
paddingnounUS /ˈpædɪŋ/
artifact consisting of soft or resilient material used to fill or give shape or protect or add comfort
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
pathosnounUS /ˈpeɪθɑːs/
a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading —The Queen.
resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/
a hotel located in a resort area
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
setsnounUS /sets/
plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
SmilesnounUS /smaɪlz/
plural of “smile” — a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
straightforwardadjectiveUS /ˈstreɪtˈfɔːrwərd/
free from ambiguity
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Her style is never laboured, it matches its subject in its natural- ness.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
express in words
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading —The Queen.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Smiles and tears, humour and pathos, blend in her books as they do in life itself.”
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
at the time that
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── NATURALLY it was not news to me when old Dr. Grayson told me I was tired.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading ────────────────────────────────────────────────── “Mrs. Bruce has a story to tell and she sets about doing it in her own straightforward way, without resort to padding.
