used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
biggeradjectiveUS /ˈbɪɡər/
large or big relative to something else
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
a small vessel for travel on water
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
changelingnoun
a person of subnormal intelligence
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
duckverbUS /dʌk/
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
firmnessnounUS /ˈfɜːrmnəs/
the muscle tone of healthy tissue
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
set up or found
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
a young female
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
Irene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
a polite name for any woman
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.
immediately past
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
past form of “laugh” — produce laughter
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
merrilyadverbUS /ˈmerəli/
in a joyous manner
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
a particular point in time
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
not any; not one
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
oarnounUS /ɔːr/
an implement used to propel or steer a boat
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
be obedient to
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
by chance
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
past form of “persuade” — win approval or support for
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
rodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
Rosamund
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
rulingnounUS /ˈruːlɪŋ/
the reason for a court's judgment (as opposed to the decision itself)
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
not in physical motion
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
swimverbUS /swɪm/
travel through water
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
carry out
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.
terrifyverbUS /ˈterəfaɪ/
fill with terror; frighten greatly
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading TEA ON THE LAKE.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/
disturb the balance or stability of
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
vowedverbUS /vaʊd/
past form of “vow” — make a vow; promise
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
used to ask for information about something
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
at the time that
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
which person or people
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading It was with some difficulty that Rosamund persuaded Irene to obey her orders; but firmness won the day.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading This was a new experience, and she could do nothing, try as she would, to terrify Rosamund, who laughed when she assured her that she was a changeling, and might perhaps take any form at any time, and might return to her real home with the fairies at any moment; who laughed still more merrily when she vowed she would upset the boat.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading That young lady was accustomed to ruling with a rod of iron, but she had at last found a girl who was not the least afraid of her, who really did not mind what she did, and who insisted on taking one oar while she took the other.
used when the person spoken to is also the object of the action
From this reading "I can swim like a duck," said Rosamund, "and I am a great deal bigger than you are; and, clever as you think yourself, you would be no match for me in the water."
