be able to spare or give up
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
concerned with concrete problems or data rather than with fundamental principles
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
besetverbUS /bɪˈset/
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
blackingnoun
a substance used to produce a shiny protective surface on footwear
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
bowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
cheapadjectiveUS /tʃiːp/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading I hate cheap things!
cobbledverbUS /ˈkɑːbəld/
past form of “cobble” — pave with cobblestones
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
dearly loved
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
dismaynounUS /dɪˈsmeɪ/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
plural of “dollar” — the basic monetary unit in many countries; equal to 100 cents
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
destroyed or killed
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
the emotion of intense dislike; a feeling of dislike so strong that it demands action
From this reading I hate cheap things!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
prevent from being seen or discovered
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
holesnounUS /hoʊlz/
plural of “hole” — an opening into or through something
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
inknounUS /ɪŋk/
a liquid used for printing or writing or drawing
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
immediately past
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
lavishlyadverbUS /ˈlævɪʃli/
in a wasteful manner
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
a particular point in time
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
paintsnounUS /peɪnts/
plural of “paint” — a substance used as a coating to protect or decorate a surface (especially a mixture of pigment suspended in a liquid); dries to form a hard coating
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
problemnounUS /ˈprɑːbləm/
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
past form of “refuse” — show unwillingness towards
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
except for; apart from
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
a particular situation
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
slippersnounUS /ˈslɪpərz/
plural of “slipper” — low footwear that can be slipped on and off easily; usually worn indoors
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
smalleradjectiveUS /ˈsmɔːlər/
small or little relative to something else
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
solveverbUS /sɑːlv/
find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But I shall have to get them; for my boots are shabby, and every one has to look at my feet when I lead.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “These are the last of my dear French slippers, and I can't afford any more.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading I hate cheap things!
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
treasuredadjectiveUS /ˈtreʒərd/
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
trialsnounUS /ˈtraɪəlz/
plural of “trial” — the act of testing something
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
hard to endure
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
at the time that
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
witsnounUS /wɪts/
the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception
From this reading The smaller trials of life beset Jessie at this particular moment, and her bright wits were trying to solve the problem how to spend her treasured five dollars on slippers for herself and paints for Laura.
worn-outadjective
used until no longer useful
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Both were much needed, and she had gone in shabby shoes to save up money for the little surprise on which she had set her heart; but now dismay fell upon her when the holes refused to be cobbled, and the largest of bows would not hide the worn-out toes in spite of ink and blacking lavishly applied.
