used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
(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 “Yes,” he corrected, “there is--and there isn’t at all!”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “Yes,” he corrected, “there is--and there isn’t at all!”
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
correctedadjectiveUS /kərˈektəd/
having something undesirable neutralized
From this reading “Yes,” he corrected, “there is--and there isn’t at all!”
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
make plain and comprehensible
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
with resolute determination
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
characterized by charm, good taste, and generosity of spirit
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Yes,” he corrected, “there is--and there isn’t at all!”
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yes,” he corrected, “there is--and there isn’t at all!”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
not any; not one
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
packagenounUS /ˈpækədʒ/
a collection of things wrapped or boxed together
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
express in words
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Yes,” he corrected, “there is--and there isn’t at all!”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
tonightadverbUS /təˈnaɪt/
On the present night.
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
topicnounUS /ˈtɑːpɪk/
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading His lips closed firmly, but his eyes seemed to be telling her not to believe a word of it.
worriedadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːrid/
afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
From this reading “Gracious, no!” he cried; but immediately he said, “Wait!” and looked worried.
a late time of life
From this reading “This little book,” he put the package into her hand hastily, as if he were eager to change the topic, “is five years of my life.
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes,” he corrected, “there is--and there isn’t at all!”
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading It will explain what I have not been able to say to you tonight.
