used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
(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 The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
assistedadjectiveUS /əˈsɪstɪd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
BiddynounUS /ˈbɪdi/
adult female chicken
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
boardersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “boarder” — a tenant in someone's house
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
calicoadjectiveUS /ˈkæləkoʊ/
made of calico or resembling calico in being patterned
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
childishadjectiveUS /ˈtʃaɪldɪʃ/
indicating a lack of maturity
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
combedadjectiveUS /koʊmd/
(of hair) made tidy with a comb
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
curlingnounUS /ˈkɜːrlɪŋ/
a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
dining-roomnoun
a room used for dining
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
door-bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
put on clothes
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
eight-cent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
at any time
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
flosses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
a young female
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
Lanigan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
lay-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
the flesh of animals (including fishes and birds and snails) used as food
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
a particular point in time
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
mournfuladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrnfəl/
expressing sorrow
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
neatadjectiveUS /niːt/
clean or organized
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
pallornoun
unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
a human being
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
rattleverbUS /ˈrætəl/
make short successive sounds
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
ravenverbUS /ˈreɪvən/
obtain or seize by violence
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
ScrimpverbUS /skrɪmp/
subsist on a meager allowance
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
a fabric made from the fine threads produced by certain insect larvae
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
slop-shop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
superintending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
thereaboutadverb
near that time or date
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Little Jessie, ever neat as far as she could be in her person, now looked really pretty, for her new eight-cent calico dress, though bought at a slop-shop, fitted her slight and childish form perfectly, and she had combed out her dark curling hair until it looked like flosses of raven silk.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
precisely as stated
From this reading The very pallor of her little face made her dark, mournful eyes more beautiful.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
at the time that
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
which person or people
From this reading The girl was setting the table, assisted a little now and then by Biddy Lanigan, who cut the bread and meat, and Miss Scrimp was superintending it all, when she heard a carriage rattle up to the door, and a moment later heard the door-bell ring.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Miss Scrimp was in her dining-room, looking to the lay-out of the table for the boarders when they came to supper, which would be in an hour or thereabout.
but in spite of that
From this reading Miss Scrimp had not yet changed her dress for evening, or put on her false curls.
