used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
dingyadjectiveUS /ˈdɪndʒi/
thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
envelopenounUS /ˈenvəloʊp/
a flat (usually rectangular) container for a letter, thin package, etc.
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
well known or easily recognized
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
assemble or get together
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
a young female
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
handwritingnounUS /ˈhændraɪtɪŋ/
something written by hand
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
someone who hunts game
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
Hunter'snounUS /ˈhʌntərz/
possessive form of “hunter” — someone who hunts game
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
the literary culture
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
mailnounUS /meɪl/
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
OVERprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
postmasternounUS /ˈpoʊstmæstər/
the person in charge of a post office
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
reinverbUS /reɪn/
control and direct with or as if by reins
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
To recall to mind.
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
put a saddle on
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
a male human offspring
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
not in physical motion
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
up to a particular time
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
the upper part of anything
From this reading John Hunter's familiar handwriting stared at her from the top envelope.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading The postmaster was a new man and tossed the letters out carelessly; therefore he did not see the sudden start the girl gave as she began to gather them up.
tossingverbUS /ˈtɔːsɪŋ/
-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
WASauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Elizabeth dropped from the saddle, tossing her rein to Jack to hold till her return, and went inside.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
at the time that
From this reading TO DO OVER, AND TO DO BETTER, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERED Elizabeth Hunter and her son were still breathing hard from rapid riding when they drew up in front of the post-office.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading She was to remember this day and the dingy little window through which mail was passed.
