used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
American'snounUS /əˈmerɪkənz/
possessive form of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
make certain of
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
beckonedverbUS /ˈbekənd/
past form of “beckon” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
chestnutsnounUS /ˈtʃesnəts/
plural of “chestnut” — wood of any of various chestnut trees of the genus Castanea
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
cockedverbUS /kɑːkt/
past form of “cock” — tilt or slant to one side
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
emptiedverbUS /ˈemptid/
inflected form of “empty” — make void or empty of contents
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
assemble or get together
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
any number of entities (members) considered as a unit
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
half-open
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
hearthnounUS /hɑːrθ/
an open recess in a wall at the base of a chimney where a fire can be built
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
determine the result of (a competition)
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
Kate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
immediately past
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
the sound of laughing
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
Marianne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
a particular point in time
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
nutsadjectiveUS /nʌts/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
past form of “pause” — interrupt temporarily an activity before continuing
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
PeckverbUS /pek/
hit lightly with a picking motion
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
plural of “pocket” — a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
Rensselaer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
the sport of sitting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
roastingnounUS /ˈroʊstɪŋ/
cooking (meat) by dry heat in an oven (usually with fat added)
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
RoyaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
SueverbUS /suː/
institute legal proceedings against; file a suit against
From this reading Here, before the crackling open fire, sat Royal, Jack, and Sue.
suppressedadjectiveUS /səˈprest/
kept from public knowledge by various means
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
soldiers collectively
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
hard to endure
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Jack had emptied his pockets of the nuts he had remembered to gather at the last moment, and they lay in a shining brown heap upon the hearth.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were roasting chestnuts in the hot embers and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.
at the time that
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
in or at the place that
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _A Surprise for Royal_ When the two girls had reached the porch, Kate paused with a suppressed laugh, then she beckoned Marianne around to where, through a half-open doorway, she could see the group in the room beyond.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "It was a sight, I assure you," Jack was saying, "to see the American's general, Van Rensselaer, with old Judge Peck in cocked hat and carrying a big sword, riding up and down, trying to get their brave troops to come over and fight us.
