used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
abstractedlyadverb
in an absentminded or preoccupied manner
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
announcementnounUS /əˈnaʊnsmənt/
a formal public statement
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
cause to be bored
From this reading The last two missives bore a nondescript look.
chronicadjectiveUS /ˈkrɑːnɪk/
being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
corpulentadjective
excessively fat
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
dinner-card
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
exclamatoryadjective
sudden and strong
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
gaudyadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːdi/
tastelessly showy
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
house-committee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
largishadjective
somewhat large
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
immediately past
From this reading The last two missives bore a nondescript look.
legaladjectiveUS /ˈliːɡəl/
established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
the literary culture
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The last two missives bore a nondescript look.
ManilanounUS /məˈnɪlə/
a strong paper or thin cardboard with a smooth light brown finish made from e.g. Manila hemp
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
marble-quarrying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
missives
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last two missives bore a nondescript look.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
nondescriptadjectiveUS /ˈnɑːndɪˈskrɪpt/
lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting
From this reading The last two missives bore a nondescript look.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
postagenounUS /ˈpoʊstədʒ/
the charge for mailing something
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
processionnounUS /prəˈseʃən/
(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
proclaimingverbUS /proʊˈkleɪmɪŋ/
-ing form of “proclaim” — declare formally; declare someone to be something; of titles
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
quarterlyadjectiveUS /ˈkwɔːrtərli/
of or relating to or consisting of a quarter
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
registeredadjectiveUS /ˈredʒɪstərd/
(of animals) officially recorded with or certified by a recognized breed association; especially in a stud book
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
serialadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriːəl/
in regular succession without gaps
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
speculationnounUS /ˌspekjəˈleɪʃən/
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
the season of growth
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
stampsnounUS /stæmps/
plural of “stamp” — the distinctive form in which a thing is made
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
dependable
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
tailor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The other was largish, corpulent and heavy, of stout Manila paper, and bore, down one side, a gaudy procession of postage stamps proclaiming that it had been registered.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
unmasculine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading THE LETTER He tore open the letters abstractedly: the usual dinner-card or two, a tailor's spring announcement, a chronic serial from an exclamatory marble-quarrying company, a quarterly statement of a club house-committee.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
What's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
in the company of; together with
From this reading One was small, with the name of a legal firm in its corner.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "What's in that, I wonder?" he said to himself, and then, with a smile at the unmasculine speculation, opened the smaller envelope.
