used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
react verbally
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
backwardadverbUS /ˈbækwərd/
at or to or toward the back or rear
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
bangverbUS /bæŋ/
strike violently
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Georgiana did not believe that the lady was as unhappy as she looked.
exhale hard
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It seemed to be a day for expression by the use of fists!
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
(usually followed by “of”) having capacity or ability
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
patron saint of Wales (circa 520-600)
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It seemed to be a day for expression by the use of fists!
the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Georgiana did not believe that the lady was as unhappy as she looked.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading It seemed to be a day for expression by the use of fists!
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
fistnounUS /fɪst/
a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
fistsnounUS /fɪsts/
plural of “fist” — a hand with the fingers clenched in the palm (as for hitting)
From this reading It seemed to be a day for expression by the use of fists!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It seemed to be a day for expression by the use of fists!
Georgiana
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
cause to move by striking
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
homelyadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmli/
lacking in physical beauty or proportion
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
intenselyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈtensli/
to a high degree; extremely; in high concentration or density
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
evidencing the possession of inside information
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading Georgiana did not believe that the lady was as unhappy as she looked.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Georgiana did not believe that the lady was as unhappy as she looked.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
middle-agedadjectiveUS /ˈmɪdəleɪɡd/
being roughly between 45 and 65 years old
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Georgiana did not believe that the lady was as unhappy as she looked.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
reluctantlyadverbUS /rɪˈlʌktəntli/
with reluctance
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
respondverbUS /rɪˈspɑːnd/
show a response or a reaction to something
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to be a day for expression by the use of fists!
not often
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
ShearverbUS /ʃɪr/
cut with shears
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
Shear'snounUS /ʃiːrz/
possessive form of “shear” — (physics) a deformation of an object in which parallel planes remain parallel but are shifted in a direction parallel to themselves
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
suppertimenoun
the customary or habitual hour for the evening meal
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
unhappinessnounUS /ənˈhæpinɪs/
emotions experienced when not in a state of well-being
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent
From this reading Georgiana did not believe that the lady was as unhappy as she looked.
the act of using
From this reading It seemed to be a day for expression by the use of fists!
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
wannessnoun
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
Warne's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
at the time that
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
which person or people
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading As she went to the door, Georgiana felt an intensely wicked desire to hit Mrs. Shear a blow with her own capable fist, which should send her backward into the snow.
in the company of; together with
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading SOMETHING REALLY HAPPENS It might have been any of the village people, as Georgiana expected it would be when she closed the kitchen door with a bang and went reluctantly to answer the knock.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Since it was almost suppertime it was probably Mrs. Shear, who seldom made a call at any other hour, knowing she would as surely be asked to stay as it was sure that David Warne's heart would respond to the wanness and unhappiness always written on Mrs. Shear's homely middle-aged face.
