used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
afflictionnounUS /əˈflɪkʃən/
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
the formal act of approving
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
Connie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
reach, make, or come to a decision about something
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
droppingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɑːpɪŋ/
coming down freely under the influence of gravity
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
Gerty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading Ought one to ignore her death or ought one not to?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
something that is lost
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
luncheonnounUS /ˈlʌntʃən/
a midday meal
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
most important element
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
information about recent and important events
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ought one to ignore her death or ought one not to?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
on one occasion
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Ought one to ignore her death or ought one not to?"
one's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Ought one to ignore her death or ought one not to?"
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Ought one to ignore her death or ought one not to?"
have ownership or possession of
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
the state of having little or no money and few or no material possessions
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
RICHESnounUS /ˈrɪtʃəz/
an abundance of material possessions and resources
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
for a short time
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
a special situation
From this reading "Of course that's a part of it, but, the main thing is to know in one's own mind whether one ought to regard it as an affliction or a blessing.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
TREATSnounUS /triːts/
plural of “treat” — something considered choice to eat
From this reading TREATS OF THE POVERTY OF RICHES On the morning of Connie's death, Gerty, dropping in shortly before luncheon, brought the news to Laura.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
produce a literary work
From this reading "Do you mean," asked Laura, "that you can't decide whether to write to him or not?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Do you know for once in my life my social instinct has failed me," she confessed in her first breath, "I am perfectly at a loss as to how the situation should be met.
