used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading M. L. A.
(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 Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
arrangementnounUS /ərˈeɪndʒmənt/
the thing arranged or agreed to
From this reading There was only one person who was not wholly satisfied with the arrangement, and this was Ellen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
borrowedverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊd/
past form of “borrow” — get temporarily
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
a young person of either sex
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
congenialadjectiveUS /kənˈdʒiːnjəl/
suitable to your needs
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
Ellen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
set up or found
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
the emotion of great happiness
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
a metric unit of capacity, formerly defined as the volume of one kilogram of pure water under standard conditions; now equal to 1,000 cubic centimeters (or approximately 1.75 pints)
From this reading M. L. A.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
Lois
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading M. L. A.
engage in
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
MatthewsnounUS /ˈmæθjuːz/
plural of “matthew” — (New Testament) disciple of Jesus; traditionally considered to be the author of the first Gospel
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
MorgannounUS /ˈmɔːrɡən/
United States anthropologist who studied the Seneca (1818-1881)
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was only one person who was not wholly satisfied with the arrangement, and this was Ellen.
and nothing more
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
a human being
From this reading There was only one person who was not wholly satisfied with the arrangement, and this was Ellen.
the possibility of future success
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading There was only one person who was not wholly satisfied with the arrangement, and this was Ellen.
searchedverbUS /sɜːrtʃt/
past form of “search” — try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
sereneadjectiveUS /sərˈiːn/
not agitated; without losing self-possession
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
stimulatingadjectiveUS /ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪŋ/
rousing or quickening activity or the senses
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
a sudden outburst of anger
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was only one person who was not wholly satisfied with the arrangement, and this was Ellen.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading There was only one person who was not wholly satisfied with the arrangement, and this was Ellen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
tormentnounUS /ˈtɔːrment/
unbearable physical pain
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
(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 Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
which person or people
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading There was only one person who was not wholly satisfied with the arrangement, and this was Ellen.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading If she had searched the wide world over she could not have found a more congenial sister than Jessie Matthews.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Lois was equally fond of Ellen Morgan, and Ellen was a more stimulating friend, but Ellen had an uncertain temper, which would make living with her a torment, as well as a joy, while Jessie was as serene as a summer morning.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Lois Page, who had been an only child all her life, was to have a borrowed sister for the space of a year or more, and the prospect filled her with keen delight.
