used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
(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 Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
betteredverbUS /ˈbetərd/
past form of “better” — surpass in excellence
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
set up or found
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
only a very short time before
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
intentnounUS /ˌɪnˈtent/
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
luminousadjectiveUS /ˈluːmənəs/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
Matilda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
mother'snounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
possessive form of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
motionsnounUS /ˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “motion” — the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
Sarah'snounUS /ˈserəz/
possessive form of “sarah” — (Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
an educational institution
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
refrain from harming
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
inflected form of “spring” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
the act of using
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Talk?" said Mr. Wharncliffe; "then we want some time for it, do we?"
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
Wharncliffe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
which person or people
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Delightful as it was, and as Sarah's face was, all luminous with grateful and glad feeling, Matilda through the whole of it was intent upon Mr. Wharncliffe and his motions; and the instant Sarah had left her she sprang to his side.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before Matilda had any chance for more talk in private with David, the week came to an end; and Sunday afternoon found her in Sunday school as usual.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading But not as usual, she had hardly a word or a minute to spare for Sarah, who was telling of her progress in learning to use a sewing machine and of her own and her mother's bettered health.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you busy, sir? can I talk to you?"
