used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
afieldadverbUS /əˈfiːld/
far away from home or one's usual surroundings
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
blankadjectiveUS /blæŋk/
(of a surface) not written or printed on
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
carbonnounUS /ˈkɑːrbən/
an abundant nonmetallic tetravalent element occurring in three allotropic forms: amorphous carbon and graphite and diamond; occurs in all organic compounds
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
compilationnounUS /ˌkɑːmpəˈleɪʃən/
something that is compiled (as into a single book or file)
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
consultedverbUS /kənˈsʌltəd/
past form of “consult” — get or ask advice from
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
copiedverbUS /ˈkɑːpid/
inflected form of “copy” — copy down as is
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
crampedadjectiveUS /kræmpt/
constricted in size
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
datanounUS /ˈdeɪtə/
a collection of facts from which conclusions may be drawn
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
DavisnounUS /ˈdeɪvəs/
English navigator who explored the Arctic while searching for the Northwest Passage (1550-1605)
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
decipherverbUS /dɪˈsaɪfər/
convert code into ordinary language
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
discontentedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪdli/
with discontent; in a discontented manner
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
disgustedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡʌstəd/
having a strong distaste from surfeit
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
ejaculationnounUS /iˌdʒækjuːˈleɪʃən/
an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
exactnessnoun
the quality of being exact
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
filesnounUS /faɪlz/
plural of “file” — a set of related records (either written or electronic) kept together
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
set up or found
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
frownedverbUS /fraʊnd/
past form of “frown” — look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
HalenounUS /heɪl/
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
Hale'snounUS /heɪlz/
possessive form of “hale” — a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
irksomeadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrksəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
keysnounUS /kiːz/
plural of “key” — metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
lackingadjectiveUS /ˈlækɪŋ/
inadequate in amount or degree
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
immediately past
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
manuscriptnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/
A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
the middle of the day
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
plural of “note” — a brief written record
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
paragraphnounUS /ˈpærəɡræf/
one of several distinct subdivisions of a text intended to separate ideas; the beginning is usually marked by a new indented line
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
pausingverbUS /ˈpɔːzɪŋ/
-ing form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
penmanshipnoun
beautiful handwriting
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
positiveadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːzətɪv/
characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
reversedadjectiveUS /rɪˈvɜːrst/
turned inside out and resewn
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
any broad thin expanse or surface
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
SPECULATIONnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
moving very fast
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
in a swift manner
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But her sigh of relief changed to a swift, disgusted ejaculation as, dragging the last sheet out of the typewriter she discovered that she had carelessly reversed the carbon and that the second copy, intended for Hale’s files, was blank.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
typewriternounUS /ˈtaɪpraɪtər/
hand-operated character printer for printing written messages one character at a time
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
unintelligibleadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪnˈtelədʒəbəl/
poorly articulated or enunciated, or drowned by noise
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Swiftly her fingers moved over the familiar typewriter keys and with mechanical exactness she copied--copied, pausing now and then to decipher a nearly unintelligible paragraph, until she came to the end of the manuscript notes.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
migratory
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading She was under positive instructions from Robert Hale to complete the compilation of data given to her the week before.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hale’s cramped and peculiar style of penmanship was difficult to read at any time, and with her thoughts wandering far afield, Polly found her task more irksome than usual.
wrist-watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPECULATION IT was lacking twenty minutes of noon and Polly Davis frowned discontentedly as she consulted her wrist-watch.
