used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT FAULT.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/
precise; explicit and clearly defined
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
dolefuladjectiveUS /ˈdoʊlfəl/
filled with or evoking sadness
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading AT FAULT.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
indiscreetadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈskriːt/
lacking discretion; injudicious
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
instructionnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃən/
a message describing how something is to be done
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Yes, sir," said two or three.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
requestedadjectiveUS /rɪˈkwestɪd/
asked for
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
the act of searching for something
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
term of address for a man
From this reading "Yes, sir," said two or three.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
carry out
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading "Yes, sir," said two or three.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading "Yes, sir," said two or three.
two-and-two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading Harry had been requested to put on his boots in order to take the elder boys for a walk.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He was to keep them out for about an hour and a half, but nothing had been said as to the direction he should take, and he was indiscreet enough to start without seeking definite instruction on the point.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, sir," said two or three.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Do you always walk two-and-two?" he asked the boys, as they made for the High Street in this doleful order.
