used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
amazedadjectiveUS /əˈmeɪzd/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
a room used primarily for sleeping
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
bedsnounUS /bedz/
plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
the two together, not just one
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
a youthful male person
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
CrueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
past form of “dare” — take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
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 When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
past form of “enter” — to come or go into
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
foolscapnoun
a size of paper used especially in Britain
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
destroyed or killed
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
inscriptionnounUS /ˌɪnˈskrɪpʃən/
letters inscribed (especially words engraved or carved) on something
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
LegendnounUS /ˈledʒənd/
a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
a female domestic
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
the force of workers available
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
an adulterous woman; a woman who has an ongoing extramarital sexual relationship with a man
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
nonappearancenoun
failure to appear (especially as at court)
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
and nothing more
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
OrphannounUS /ˈɔːrfən/
a child who has lost both parents
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
pinnedverbUS /pɪnd/
inflected form of “pin” — to hold fast or prevent from moving
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
PlacardverbUS /ˈplækərd/
post in a public place
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
PunishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌnɪʃt/
subjected to a penalty (as pain or shame or restraint or loss) for an offense or fault or in order to coerce some behavior (as a confession or obedience)
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
past form of “remember” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
requestsnounUS /rɪˈkwests/
plural of “request” — a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
RescueverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
RunawaysnounUS /ˈrʌnəweɪz/
plural of “runaway” — an easy victory
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
StartlingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtlɪŋ/
so remarkably different or sudden as to cause momentary shock or alarm
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
SwallowsnounUS /ˈswɑːloʊz/
plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
TeasedadjectiveUS /tiːzd/
feeling mild pleasurable excitement
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
precisely as stated
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading She remembered now that the children had begged her not to come very early in the morning to wake them up, and as their requests were as a law she had lingered as long as she dared, and indeed had only gone to call them when her mistress had asked the reason for their nonappearance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
at the time that
From this reading When Mary entered the children's bedroom one bright, pleasant morning she was amazed at finding both of the beds empty and a piece of foolscap paper pinned to the dressing table.
which person or people
From this reading The Startling Placard--What Happened to the Little Runaways--The Rescue--Mary Tells Them the Legend of the Swallows--How Some Cruel Men were Punished who Teased an Orphan Boy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not until she had shown the paper, with its inscription, to the kitchen maid, who could read English, did its full meaning burst upon her.
the act of creating written works
From this reading The writing on it was beyond her power to read.
