used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
ascertainingverbUS /ˌæsərˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “ascertain” — establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
next to; at the side of
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
the two together, not just one
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
a youthful male person
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
ChristianitynounUS /ˌkrɪstʃiˈænɪti/
a monotheistic system of beliefs and practices based on the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus as embodied in the New Testament and emphasizing the role of Jesus as savior
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
containsverbUS /kənˈteɪnz/
third-person singular of “contain” — include or contain; have as a component
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
discoursenounUS /ˈdɪskɔːrs/
extended verbal expression in speech or writing
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
discoursesnounUS /dɪˈskɔːrsɪz/
plural of “discourse” — extended verbal expression in speech or writing
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
lacking in liveliness or animation
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
edgedadjectiveUS /edʒd/
having a specified kind of border or edge
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
having or involving the use of hands
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
Hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
idlernounUS /ˈaɪdələr/
person who does no work
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
and nothing more
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
hear with intention
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
newly-acquired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
an amount of time
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
a human being
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
pewnounUS /pjuː/
long bench with backs; used in church by the congregation
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
sealedadjectiveUS /siːld/
established irrevocably
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/
in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
push forcefully
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
unpleasantadjectiveUS /ənˈplezənt/
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was my newly-acquired friend of the previous evening; and we shook hands heartily under the pew.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
at the time that
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
which person or people
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
in the company of; together with
From this reading I raised it to the light, and on ascertaining that it was sealed and edged with black, rose and quitted the church, followed by my friend.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
WORDSWORTHnounUS /ˈwɜːrdzwərθ/
a romantic English poet whose work was inspired by the Lake District where he spent most of his life (1770-1850)
From this reading "But he is weak--both man and boy Has been an idler in the land."--WORDSWORTH.
the act of creating written works
From this reading I was attempting to listen, on the evening of the following Sunday, to a dull, listless discourse--one of the discourses so common at this period, in which there was fine writing without genius, and fine religion without Christianity--when a person who had just taken his place beside me, tapped me on the shoulder, and thrust a letter into my hand.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "That letter has just been handed me by an acquaintance from your part of the country," he whispered; "I trust it contains nothing unpleasant."
