used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
(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 THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But she resolved to make the interview as brief as possible.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
of short duration or distance
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
the process of giving careful thought to something
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
DaisynounUS /ˈdeɪzi/
any of numerous composite plants having flower heads with well-developed ray flowers usually arranged in a single whorl
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
recognizable; marked
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
wanted intensely
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
accept an excuse for
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
feverishadjectiveUS /ˈfiːvərɪʃ/
marked by intense agitation or emotion
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
(biology) the process of an individual organism growing organically; a purely biological unfolding of events involved in an organism changing gradually from a simple to a more complex level
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
HARDESTadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdəst/
superlative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
overly eager speed (and possible carelessness)
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
an instinctive motive
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
and nothing more
From this reading She had no place for Nick in her life just then.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading She had no place for Nick in her life just then.
engage in
From this reading But she resolved to make the interview as brief as possible.
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
NickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
not any; not one
From this reading She had no place for Nick in her life just then.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
packingnounUS /ˈpækɪŋ/
any material used especially to protect something
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading She had no place for Nick in her life just then.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading But she resolved to make the interview as brief as possible.
probableadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːbəbəl/
likely but not certain to be or become true or real
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
Ratcliffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
determined
From this reading But she resolved to make the interview as brief as possible.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
Identical; not different.
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading She had no place for Nick in her life just then.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
not usual or common or ordinary
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
precisely as stated
From this reading Her first impulse was to excuse herself from the interview, for she and Nick had never stood upon ceremony; but a very brief consideration decided her to see him.
a way of regarding situations or topics etc.
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
at the time that
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HARDEST FIGHT OF ALL It was growing late on that same evening when to Daisy, packing in her room with feverish haste, a message was brought that Captain Ratcliffe was waiting, and desired to see her.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Since he had come at an unusual hour, it seemed probable that he had some special object in view, and if that were so, she would find it hard to turn him from his purpose.
