1778
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
admirersnounUS /ədˈmaɪrərz/
plural of “admirer” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
ardentadjectiveUS /ˈɑːrdənt/
characterized by intense emotion
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
dollsnounUS /dɑːlz/
plural of “doll” — a small replica of a person; used as a toy
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
eageradjectiveUS /ˈiːɡər/
having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
ForgeverbUS /fɔːrdʒ/
create by hammering
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
FrenchmannounUS /ˈfrentʃmæn/
a person of French nationality
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
gamesnounUS /ɡeɪmz/
plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
HowenounUS /haʊ/
United States editor (1920-1993)
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
LafayettenounUS /ˌlɑːfiˈet/
French soldier who served under George Washington in the American Revolution (1757-1834)
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
a female domestic
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
engage in
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
humorist who wrote about the imaginary life of cockroaches (1878-1937)
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
Merrill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
overheardverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhɜːrd/
inflected form of “overhear” — hear, usually without the knowledge of the speakers
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
Pernell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
petsnounUS /pets/
plural of “pet” — a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
PhiladelphianounUS /ˌfɪləˈdelfiə/
the largest city in Pennsylvania; located in the southeastern part of the state on the Delaware river; site of Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed; site of the University of Pennsylvania
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
playsnounUS /pleɪz/
plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
Ruth'snounUS /ruːθs/
possessive form of “ruth” — United States professional baseball player famous for hitting home runs (1895-1948)
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
successfullyadverbUS /səkˈsesfəli/
with success; in a successful manner
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
supportersnounUS /səˈpɔːrtərz/
plural of “supporter” — a person who backs a politician or a team etc.
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The city had been for some time in the hands of General Howe and the British army.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
the act of using
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Children in 1778 were much like those of to-day, and Ruth and her friends, eager as they were for the war to end successfully, were fond of dolls and pets, and games and little plays.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
at the time that
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
Winifred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Little Maid of Old Philadelphia Ruth Pernell and Winifred Merrill lived in Philadelphia.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet they kept their ears open, and when Ruth overheard what two British soldiers said she knew how to make good use of her knowledge.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Ruth's father was with Washington at Valley Forge, and the little girls were ardent supporters of the American cause, and admirers of the gallant young Frenchman, the Marquis DE Lafayette.
