used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
in addition
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
awfuladjectiveUS /ˈɑːfəl/
exceptionally bad or displeasing
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
Barbara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
Barlow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
earlier than; in front of
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
blackenedadjectiveUS /ˈblækənd/
darkened by smoke
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
a woman who has recently been married
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
taking care or paying attention
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
clothing in general
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
complainingadjectiveUS /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/
expressing pain or dissatisfaction of resentment
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
dawnedverbUS /dɔːnd/
past form of “dawn” — become clear or enter one's consciousness or emotions
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
put on clothes
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
at any time
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
favoritenounUS /ˈfeɪvərɪt/
something regarded with special favor or liking
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
foldsnounUS /foʊldz/
plural of “fold” — an angular or rounded shape made by folding
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
freshlyadverbUS /ˈfreʃli/
very recently
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
Geraldine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
the act of departing
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
Gretel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
Heath'snounUS /hiːθs/
possessive form of “heath” — a low evergreen shrub of the family Ericaceae; has small bell-shaped pink or purple flowers
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
Higgins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
immaculateadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmækjuːlɪt/
completely neat and clean
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
mournfullyadverb
in a mournful manner
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
o'clockadverbUS /əˈklɑːk/
according to the clock
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
occupyingverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “occupy” — keep busy with
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
piazzanounUS /piˈæzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
railingnounUS /ˈreɪlɪŋ/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
on the contrary
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
and nothing more
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
smoothedadjectiveUS /smuːðd/
made smooth by ironing
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
characterized by or preferring solitude
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
the season of growth
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading Jerry said nothing, but gazed mournfully at his immaculate white suit, and freshly blackened boots, and sighed.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
they'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
twinsnounUS /twɪnz/
(mineralogy) two interwoven crystals that are mirror images on each other
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the first of May, as perfect a spring day as had ever dawned, and it was also Barbara Heath’s wedding day.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
be dressed in
From this reading “We have to wear our good clothes in the afternoon, anyway, but it’s simply awful to be dressed up like this at ten o’clock in the morning.”
the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
weddingsnounUS /ˈwedɪŋz/
plural of “wedding” — the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
at the time that
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The twins were occupying the cottage piazza in solitary state, while up-stairs Mrs. Barlow, Gretel, and Higgins, were all engaged in dressing the bride.
a Caucasian
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
hope for; have a wish
From this reading GOING TO A WEDDING “I wish when people have weddings, they’d have them in the afternoon, instead of in the morning,” observed Geraldine, in a rather complaining tone, as she carefully smoothed out the folds in her white dress before taking her favorite seat on the piazza railing.
