used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "To see me--at this hour?
(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
true confidential information
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
communicated in words
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading "To see me--at this hour?
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "To see me--at this hour?
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
not one, and not any
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
and nothing more
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
on the contrary
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
regardingverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “regard” — deem to be
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
express the need or desire for
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "To see me--at this hour?
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "To see me--at this hour?
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "A rather curious request at this time of night," her companion observed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "To see me--at this hour?
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Why, it's past midnight!" he exclaimed in astonishment.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "He will not give any details regarding his business," she went on.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "He only expressed a desire that none of the guests should be aware of his presence, and that he might have an interview alone with you."
