used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
the quality of having a superior or more favorable position
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
any person at all
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Instead, I began to feel, as the schoolboys have it, that I was in for a lark.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
(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 THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
CaxtonnounUS /ˈkækstən/
English printer who in 1474 printed the first book in English (1422-1491)
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
chastenverbUS /ˈtʃeɪsən/
censure severely
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
CleavernounUS /ˈkliːvər/
a butcher's knife having a large square blade
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
dinedverbUS /daɪnd/
past form of “dine” — have supper; eat dinner
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
one or the other of two
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
equivocaladjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪvəkəl/
open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Instead, I began to feel, as the schoolboys have it, that I was in for a lark.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
the act of departing
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Instead, I began to feel, as the schoolboys have it, that I was in for a lark.
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead, I began to feel, as the schoolboys have it, that I was in for a lark.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
larknounUS /lɑːrk/
North American songbirds having a yellow breast
From this reading Instead, I began to feel, as the schoolboys have it, that I was in for a lark.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
Messrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
an area that is approximately central within some larger region
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
a particular point in time
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
one-and-sevenpence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
orphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading I was an orphan.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
plural of “reason” — a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
relativenounUS /ˈrelətɪv/
a person related by blood or marriage
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
express in words
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
schoolboysnounUS /ˈskuːlbɔɪz/
plural of “schoolboy” — a boy attending school
From this reading Instead, I began to feel, as the schoolboys have it, that I was in for a lark.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
carry out
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading That I really was going to hear, either through Messrs. Cleaver and Caxton, or through anybody else, of something to my advantage, I never for a moment believed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
WAITERnounUS /ˈweɪtər/
a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I had what I take it are the best of reasons for knowing I have not a single living relative.
at the time that
From this reading THE WAITER--AND THE HAND When I had dined--they gave me for nothing a better dinner than the one I had had in the middle of the day for one-and-sevenpence--the feeling that, to say the least of it, I was in an equivocal position, began to chasten.
