used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
confined by bonds
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
uttered without voice
From this reading Mona breathed, seeming to know by instinct what they were.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Mona breathed, seeming to know by instinct what they were.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
cottonnounUS /ˈkɑːtən/
soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
a state in which you want to learn more about something
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
engagement-ring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "My mother's wedding and engagement-ring!"
examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/
consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading Mona breathed, seeming to know by instinct what they were.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
layernounUS /ˈleɪər/
single thickness of usually some homogeneous substance
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
held up in the air
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
MonanounUS /ˈmoʊnə/
an island to the northwest of Wales
From this reading Mona breathed, seeming to know by instinct what they were.
Mona'snounUS /ˈmoʊnəz/
possessive form of “mona” — an island to the northwest of Wales
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
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 "My mother's wedding and engagement-ring!"
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "My mother's wedding and engagement-ring!"
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
promptedverbUS /ˈprɑːmptɪd/
past form of “prompt” — give an incentive for action
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
ribbonnounUS /ˈrɪbən/
any long object resembling a thin line
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
ringsnounUS /rɪŋz/
gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading Mona breathed, seeming to know by instinct what they were.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mona breathed, seeming to know by instinct what they were.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mona's curiosity prompted her to examine the contents of the little box first.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
untiedadjectiveUS /ənˈtaɪd/
not tied
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading "My mother's wedding and engagement-ring!"
WEREauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I SHOULD THINK WE WERE OUT AT SEA!"
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mona breathed, seeming to know by instinct what they were.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading She untied the narrow ribbon that was bound about it, lifted the cover and a layer of cotton, and discovered the two rings which we already know about.
