used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
quickly and without warning
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
(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 Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
boxesnounUS /ˈbɑːksəz/
plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading The table was covered with papers, dispatch boxes, and writing materials.
BrewernounUS /ˈbruːər/
someone who brews beer or ale from malt and hops and water
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The table was covered with papers, dispatch boxes, and writing materials.
a statement that represents something in words
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
dispatchverbUS /dɪˈspætʃ/
send away towards a designated goal
From this reading The table was covered with papers, dispatch boxes, and writing materials.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
set up or found
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
galenounUS /ɡeɪl/
a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
intense sorrow caused by loss of a loved one (especially by death)
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
free from evil or guilt
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
plural of “kind” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
languornoun
a relaxed comfortable feeling
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
the literary culture
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
materialsnounUS /məˈtɪriəlz/
plural of “material” — the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
From this reading The table was covered with papers, dispatch boxes, and writing materials.
memorandanounUS /ˌmemərˈændə/
a written proposal or reminder
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
Milly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
not any; not one
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
obedientlyadverbUS /oʊˈbiːdiəntli/
in an obedient manner
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)
From this reading The table was covered with papers, dispatch boxes, and writing materials.
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
scrapnounUS /skræp/
a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
refrain from harming
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading The table was covered with papers, dispatch boxes, and writing materials.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
a special situation
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Dr Brewer came in upon the girls that same evening somewhat abruptly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading One little pile of business papers had been put by itself; letters were lying open, innocent little account books, memoranda of all kinds.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He was a busy man, with little time to spare, and he thought his sudden arrival like a gale of wind was a good thing for them in the languor of their grief; but there was no languor about them as he found them.
the act of creating written works
From this reading The table was covered with papers, dispatch boxes, and writing materials.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work
From this reading Grace had turned out all the contents of her father’s boxes, and was gathering together and examining every scrap of written paper, while Milly, with a pen in her hand, obediently wrote down the description of each.
