used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
plural of “age” — how long something has existed
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
(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 WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
amenitiesnounUS /əˈmenətiz/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
any thing at all
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
athleticadjectiveUS /æθˈletɪk/
relating to or befitting athletics or athletes
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
backedadjectiveUS /bækt/
having a back or backing, usually of a specified type
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
an area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea or lake
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
BillowsnounUS /ˈbɪloʊz/
plural of “billow” — a large sea wave
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
of surpassing excellence
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
BurkenounUS /bɜːrk/
British statesman famous for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system (1729-1797)
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
Cara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
Cara's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
past form of “care” — feel concern or interest
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
clothing in general
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
a female human offspring
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
EsthernounUS /ˈestər/
(Old Testament) a beautiful Jewess chosen by the king of Persia to be his queen; she stopped a plot to massacre all the Jews in Persia (an event celebrated by Jews as the feast of Purim)
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
past form of “mention” — make reference to
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
on the contrary
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
refiningnounUS /rəˈfaɪnɪŋ/
the process of removing impurities (as from oil or metals or sugar etc.)
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
relinquishverbUS /rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃ/
part with a possession or right
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
sea-coastnoun
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
sessionnounUS /ˈseʃən/
a meeting for execution of a group's functions
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But from the time that Cara mentioned the brilliant idea to Louise and Esther, she was not allowed to change her mind.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
sociallyadverbUS /ˈsoʊʃəli/
by or with respect to society
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
precisely as stated
From this reading Mrs. Burke, Cara’s mother, was rather pleased that her athletic daughter thought of anything so socially refining, for, as a rule, Cara cared very little for the amenities.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
week-end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was rather absurd, to ask five girls to week-end at her lovely big home, the Billows, to bring clothes enough for three days and to stay for almost that length of time, when they all lived near enough to run home if their mothers should call them—on the telephone.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There is not a great deal of excitement for girls of their ages at little sea-coast towns, and the prospects of a house party were far too precious to relinquish.
at the time that
From this reading WHEN THE DAY ARRIVED Between that day at the beach and the day set for the first session to the house party, Cara all but backed out several times.
