used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A TALK WITH AUNT JUDITH.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading A TALK WITH AUNT JUDITH.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
ClickverbUS /klɪk/
move or strike with a noise
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
in a close relation or position in time or space
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
cosynounUS /ˈkoʊzi/
a padded cloth covering to keep a teapot warm
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/
an upholstered seat for more than one person
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
curtainsnounUS /ˈkɜːrtənz/
plural of “curtain” — hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
dancedverbUS /dænst/
past form of “dance” — move in a graceful and rhythmical way
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
Debby's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
DinglenounUS /ˈdɪŋɡəl/
a small wooded hollow
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
enjoymentnounUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪmənt/
the pleasure felt when having a good time
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
flamesnounUS /fleɪmz/
plural of “flame” — the process of combustion of inflammable materials producing heat and light and (often) smoke
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
gleamverbUS /ɡliːm/
be shiny, as if wet
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
an alert and refreshed state
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
gratenounUS /ɡreɪt/
a frame of iron bars to hold a fire
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
industriouslyadverb
in an industrious manner
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
JUDITHnounUS /ˈdʒuːdəθ/
Jewish heroine in one of the books of the Apocrypha; she saved her people by decapitating the Assyrian general Holofernes
From this reading A TALK WITH AUNT JUDITH.
Judith's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
knittingnounUS /ˈnɪtɪŋ/
needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
lamplightnoun
light from a lamp
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
leaptverbUS /lept/
inflected form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
Meg's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
mellowingnounUS /ˈmeloʊɪŋ/
the process of becoming mellow
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
needlesnounUS /ˈniːdəlz/
plural of “needle” — the leaf of a conifer
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
parlournounUS /ˈpɑːrlər/
reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
pendulumnounUS /ˈpen.dʒə.ləm/
A weight hung from a fixed point so that it can swing freely, often used in timekeeping.
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
purred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
-ing form of “rest” — not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
rubynounUS /ˈruːbi/
a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
rugnounUS /rʌɡ/
floor covering consisting of a piece of thick heavy fabric (usually with nap or pile)
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
sleepyadjectiveUS /ˈsliːpi/
ready to fall asleep
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
relating to human society and its members
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
soothinglyadverbUS /ˈsuːðɪŋli/
in a soothing manner
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading A TALK WITH AUNT JUDITH.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
ticknounUS /tɪk/
a metallic tapping sound
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading The cat purred in sleepy content on the rug; and Aunt Judith's gentle voice fell soothingly on the ear as she read some book aloud from her low seat by Aunt Meg's couch.
having or producing a comfortable and agreeable degree of heat or imparting or maintaining heat
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Click, click, went Aunt Debby's needles as she sat by the warm glow, knitting industriously; tick, tick, said the little clock, its pendulum swinging steadily to and fro.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The ruby curtains were closely drawn in the cosy parlour at Dingle Cottage; the flames leapt and danced in the polished grate, and the soft lamplight fell with mellowing gleam around.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A TALK WITH AUNT JUDITH.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading It was evening; the daily routine of work was over, and the time come for resting and social enjoyment.
