used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
answeringadjectiveUS /ˈænsərɪŋ/
replying
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
auburnadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbərn/
(of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
belongsverbUS /bɪˈlɔːŋz/
third-person singular of “belong” — be owned by; be in the possession of
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
a youthful male person
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
BrookenounUS /brʊk/
English lyric poet (1887-1915)
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
CairnsnounUS /kernz/
plural of “cairn” — a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
farm-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event
From this reading MARIAN’S FEAR.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
the act of departing
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
Jervis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
lessonsnounUS /ˈlesənz/
plural of “lesson” — a unit of instruction
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
MarianadjectiveUS /ˈmeriən/
of or relating to or venerating the Virgin Mary
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
MARIAN'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MARIAN’S FEAR.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
a form of address for a man
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
many times at short intervals
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
parlornounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
To recall to mind.
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
recurring again and again
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
RutherfordnounUS /ˈrʌθərfərd/
a unit strength of a radioactive source equal to one million disintegrations per second
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
cut with a saw
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
express in words
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
shyverbUS /ʃaɪ/
start suddenly, as from fright
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
sunnyadjectiveUS /ˈsʌni/
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading ‘Well, Polly, how are the lessons going on?’ he used to say; and I liked him to ask, though I was shy about answering him.
at the time that
From this reading “I can remember him first as a big boy, when his father was alive—always so sunny looking, with his auburn hair.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading It wasn’t often I saw him, but when I did he always had a pleasant word for me.
an affirmative
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading “YES; Mr. Rutherford belongs to my young days,” slowly repeated Marian Brooke, as she sat in the little smoking parlor of the old farm-house, alone with her brother, Jervis Cairns.
