A

[--- and ---]

1. — And is used between repeated words to show continuation or emphasis.

When the children saw the beautiful Christmas tree they looked and looked.

Old Mr. Bryan has known Grandfather for years and years, since they were boys.  […]

[a bit]  {n.},  {informal}

A small amount; some.

There's no sugar in the sugar bowl, but you may find a bit in the bag.

If the ball had hit the window a bit harder, it would have broken it.

- Often used like an adverb.

* /This sweater  […]

[a few]  {n.} or  {adj.}

A small number (of people or things); some.

The dry weather killed most of Mother's flowers, but a few are left.

In the store, Mary saw many pretty rings and bracelets, and she wanted to buy a few of them.

* /After the  […]

[a friend in need is a friend indeed]

A genuine friend on whom one can always depend. — A proverb; often shortened to "a friend in need..."

* /When John's house burned down, his neighbor Jim helped him and his family with shelter, food and clothing.  […]

[a hell of a] or [one hell of a]  {adj.} or  {adv. phr.},  {informal}

Extraordinary; very.

He made a hell of a shot during the basketball game.

Max said seven months was a hell of a time to have to wait for a simple visa.

* /The fall Max took  […]

[a la]  {prep.}

In the same way as; like.

Billy played ball like a champion today, a la the professional ball players.

Joe wanted to shoot an apple off my head a la William Tell.

(From French "a la", in the manner of.)

[a little]  {n.} or  {adj.}

A small amount (of); some. — Usually "a little" is different in meaning from "little", which emphasizes the negative; "a little" means "some"; but "little" means "not much". We say

* /"We thought that the paper was all gone,  […]

[a little bird told me]

To have learned something from a mysterious, unknown, or secret source.

[a little knowledge is a dangerous thing]  {literary}

A person who knows a little about something may think he knows it all and make bad mistakes. — A proverb.

* /John has read a book on driving a car and now he thinks he can drive. A little knowledge  […]

[a lot]  {n.},  {informal}

A large number or amount; very many or very much; lots.

I learned a lot in Mr. Smith's class.

A lot of our friends are going to the beach this summer.

- Often used like an adverb.

* /Ella is a jolly girl; she laughs  […]