used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
in the past
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
(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 Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
Betty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
plural of “boot” — footwear that covers the whole foot and lower leg
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
broomnounUS /bruːm/
a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
capablyadverb
with competence; in a competent capable manner
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
prepare a hot meal
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
donnedverbUS /dɑːnd/
inflected form of “don” — put clothing on one's body
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
remove the dust from
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
divisible by two
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
fragmentsnounUS /ˈfræɡmənts/
plural of “fragment” — a piece broken off or cut off of something else
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
frocknounUS /frɑːk/
a long, loose outer garment
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
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 Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
lettings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
mendings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
NancynounUS /ˈnænsi/
a city in northeastern France in Lorraine
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
on one occasion
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
and nothing more
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
patchings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
patheticadjectiveUS /pəˈθetɪk/
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
ragetty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
recurring again and again
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
an educational institution
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
scrubverbUS /skrʌb/
clean with hard rubbing
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
stockingsnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋz/
plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
tagetty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
varyingadjectiveUS /ˈveriɪŋ/
marked by diversity or difference
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was Saturday morning now, and she was very busy.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
wearernounUS /ˈwerər/
a person who wears or carries or displays something as a body covering or accessory
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
at the time that
From this reading In spite of "lettings down" and repeated patchings and mendings it was in what its small wearer called the "ragetty tagetty" stage of its existence, and was donned only when she was about the dirty part of "cleaning up."
at any time that; every time that
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
belonging to which person
From this reading "THE DAILY ROUND--THE COMMON TASK" Betty's boots and stockings were on once more, and her school frock exchanged for one whose school days lay far behind it.
wieldverbUS /wiːld/
have and exercise
From this reading Her mother could never capably wield a broom, or scrub, or dust, or cook--she had done all four, but the results were pathetic.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
a late time of life
From this reading Even Nancy knew the story of her life, which began with "once upon a time, almost twenty years ago," and was told in varying fragments whenever a story was begged for.
