used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
(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 "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But why are you here, and why all this mystery?"
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But why are you here, and why all this mystery?"
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
clasping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
communicated in words
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
greetingsnounUS /ˈɡriːtɪŋz/
plural of “greeting” — (usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But why are you here, and why all this mystery?"
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
come together
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
miraculousadjectiveUS /mərˈækjələs/
being or having the character of a miracle
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading But why are you here, and why all this mystery?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
and nothing more
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
past form of “stare” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
not in physical motion
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
thunderstruckadjectiveUS /ˈθʌndərstrʌk/
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The two stared at each other in perfect astonishment for some moments, still clasping hands.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It seemed almost miraculous that he should meet his bosom friend in such a place and under such circumstances.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE MEETING OF FRIENDS George was simply thunderstruck.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
which person or people
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading But why are you here, and why all this mystery?"
wondersnounUS /ˈwʌndərz/
plural of “wonder” — the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "Well, of all the wonders," George exclaimed, after they had expressed sufficient surprise and finished their greetings, "who would have expected this?
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But why are you here, and why all this mystery?"
