used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
ballsnounUS /bɔːlz/
plural of “ball” — round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
bosoms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
dahlias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
lacking in light; not bright or harsh
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
distortedadjectiveUS /dɪˈstɔːrtəd/
so badly formed or out of shape as to be ugly
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
Eberwich
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
opinion or judgment
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading I remembered it later in the evening, when I wished to recall something to interest my mother.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading I remembered it later in the evening, when I wished to recall something to interest my mother.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
nervouslyadverbUS /ˈnɜːrvəsli/
in an anxiously nervous manner
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
perplexedadjectiveUS /pərˈplekst/
full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
recallverbUS /ˈriːkɔːl/
recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading I remembered it later in the evening, when I wished to recall something to interest my mother.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading I remembered it later in the evening, when I wished to recall something to interest my mother.
rottennessnoun
in a state of progressive putrefaction
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
scanverbUS /skæn/
examine minutely or intensely
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading I remembered it later in the evening, when I wished to recall something to interest my mother.
sprawlingnounUS /ˈsprɔːlɪŋ/
an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They called me as I passed the post-office door in Eberwich one evening, and they gave me a letter for my mother.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading She looked at the handwriting, and began hastily and nervously to tear open the envelope; she held it away from her in the light of the lamp, and with eyes drawn half closed, tried to scan it.
uneasinessnounUS /ˌʌˈniːzinəs/
feelings of anxiety that make you tense and irritable
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
at the time that
From this reading I remembered it later in the evening, when I wished to recall something to interest my mother.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Autumn set in, and the red dahlias which kept the warm light alive in their bosoms so late into the evening died in the night, and the morning had nothing but brown balls of rottenness to show.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading I remembered it later in the evening, when I wished to recall something to interest my mother.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The distorted, sprawling handwriting perplexed me with a dim uneasiness; I put the letter away, and forgot it.
