the act of measuring with meters or similar instruments; "he has a job meter reading for the gas company"
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message; "he enjoys reading books"
a datum about some physical state that is presented to a user by a meter or similar instrument; "he could not believe the meter reading"; "the barometer gave clear indications of an approaching storm"
written material intended to be read; "the teacher assigned new readings"; "he bought some reading material at the airport"
a particular interpretation or performance; "on that reading it was an insult"; "he was famous for his reading of Mozart"
a city on the River Thames in Berkshire in southern England
make a request or demand for something to somebody; "She asked him for a loan"
consider obligatory; request and expect; "We require our secretary to be on time"; "Aren't we asking too much of these children?"; "I expect my students to arrive in time for their lessons"
inquire about; "I asked about their special today"; "He had to ask directions several times"
direct or put; seek an answer to; "ask a question"
address a question to and expect an answer from; "Ask your teacher about trigonometry"; "The children asked me about their dead grandmother"
require or ask for as a price or condition; "He is asking $200 for the table"; "The kidnappers are asking a million dollars in return for the release of their hostage"
the skilled practice of a practical occupation; "he learned his trade as an apprentice"
the commercial exchange (buying and selling on domestic or international markets) of goods and services; "Venice was an important center of trade with the East"; "they are accused of conspiring to constrain trade"
the business given to a commercial establishment by its customers; "even before noon there was a considerable patronage"
exchange or give (something) in exchange for
turn in as payment or part payment for a purchase; "trade in an old car for a new one"
engage in the trade of; "he is merchandising telephone sets"
be traded at a certain price or under certain conditions; "The stock traded around $20 a share"
crowded with or characterized by much activity; "a very busy week"; "a busy life"; "a busy street"; "a busy seaport"
actively or fully engaged or occupied; "busy with her work"; "a busy man"; "too busy to eat lunch"; "the line is busy"
(of facilities such as telephones or lavatories) unavailable for use by anyone else or indicating unavailability; (`engaged' is a British term for a busy telephone line); "her line is busy"; "receptionists' telephones are always engaged"; "the lavatory is in use"; "kept getting a busy signal"
overcrowded or cluttered with detail; "a busy painting"; "a fussy design"
keep busy with; "She busies herself with her butterfly collection"