used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
anew
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
(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 Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
ApachenounUS /əˈpætʃi/
any member of Athapaskan tribes that migrated to the southwestern desert (from Arizona to Texas and south into Mexico); fought a losing battle from 1861 to 1886 with the United States and were resettled in Oklahoma
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
past form of “approach” — move towards
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
showing who or what does the action
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
catsnounUS /kæts/
plural of “cat” — feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
cottagernoun
someone who lives in a cottage
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
curtseynoun
bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
dead-and-gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
demonstrationnounUS /ˌdemənˈstreɪʃən/
a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
Dorothy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
drawing-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
divisible by two
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
the petals or sepals of a flower that bend downward (especially the outer perianth of an iris)
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
set up or found
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
brought together in one place
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
genuflectionnoun
the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
a young female
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
Hallington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
and nothing more
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
loweredadjectiveUS /ˈloʊərd/
below the surround or below the normal position
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
attach a tag or label to
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
come together
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
used to form the superlative
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
NiagaranounUS /naɪˈæɡrə/
waterfall in Canada is the Horseshoe Falls; in the United States it is the American Falls
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
a human being
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
petticoatsnounUS /ˈpetikoʊts/
plural of “petticoat” — undergarment worn under a skirt
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
portraitsnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrəts/
plural of “portrait” — a word picture of a person's appearance and character
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
practiseverbUS /ˈpræktɪs/
engage in a rehearsal
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
quaintadjectiveUS /kweɪnt/
strange in an interesting or pleasing way
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
unusual or striking
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
Stacy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
stolidadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːləd/
having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
successive (without a break)
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
straight-backedadjective
having a straight back
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
threesnounUS /θriːz/
plural of “three” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
twosnounUS /tuːz/
plural of “two” — the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
precisely as stated
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It seemed to me a singular and most amusing demonstration, and Miss Dorothy explained that it was a curtsey--a very proper mark of respect.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading And Miss Dorothy found it difficult to understand just why the curtsey was not a popular genuflection in America, even if we had any little cottager girls to practise it, which I did not think we had, exactly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Later on we gathered round a fire, with the cats, under the quaint old portraits of very straight-backed dead-and-gone ladies Stacy in the drawing-room, and I told all I knew about the Apache Indians and Niagara Falls.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading On the way back through the village of Hallington we met several stolid little girls by ones and twos and threes, and every little girl, as we approached, suddenly lowered her person and her petticoats by about six inches and brought it up again in a perfectly straight line, and without any change of expression whatever.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'But surely,' she said, 'your little cottager girls in America curtsey to the ladies and gentlemen they meet!'
