used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NEW SABBATH CLASS.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
having fair knowledge of
From this reading "Have you got acquainted with Mr. Butler, father?"
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
weapons considered collectively
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
availedverbUS /əˈveɪld/
past form of “avail” — use to one's advantage
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
ButlernounUS /ˈbʌtlər/
a manservant (usually the head servant of a household) who has charge of wines and the table
From this reading "Have you got acquainted with Mr. Butler, father?"
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading A NEW SABBATH CLASS.
past form of “commence” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
carefully weighed
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading "Have you got acquainted with Mr. Butler, father?"
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
a young female
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
gladlyadverbUS /ˈɡlædli/
in a willing manner
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Have you got acquainted with Mr. Butler, father?"
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "Have you got acquainted with Mr. Butler, father?"
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
lapsnounUS /læps/
plural of “lap” — the upper side of the thighs of a seated person
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
LewisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States rock star singer and pianist (born in 1935)
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
low-tonedadjective
very low in volume
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
a form of address for a man
From this reading "Have you got acquainted with Mr. Butler, father?"
NELLIE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading A NEW SABBATH CLASS.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
people'snounUS /ˈpiːpəlz/
possessive form of “people” — (plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
approval to do something
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
SABBATHnounUS /ˈsæbəθ/
a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims
From this reading A NEW SABBATH CLASS.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
sister'snounUS /ˈsɪstərz/
possessive form of “sister” — a female person who has the same parents as another person
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
be seated
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
squirmingverbUS /ˈskwɜːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “squirm” — to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
strivingnounUS /ˈstraɪvɪŋ/
an effortful attempt to attain a goal
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
struggledverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəld/
past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
well-behavedadjective
(usually of children) someone who behaves in a manner that the speaker believes is correct
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
at the time that
From this reading "Too big" though she was considered, Nellie, poor baby, gladly availed herself of the permission, and curled in a happy little heap in her new sister's arms; when commenced a low-toned conversation.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading "NELLIE is too big to sit on people's laps," her mother said; "but she can get up, if she wants to, and can keep from squirming about like a wild animal, instead of acting like a well-behaved little girl."
in the company of; together with
From this reading Lewis watched her and struggled with his brain, striving to think of some way of helping.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Have you got acquainted with Mr. Butler, father?"
