used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
anew
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
(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 At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
assurancesnounUS /əˈʃʊrənsɪz/
plural of “assurance” — freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
Bessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
consolationnounUS /ˌkɑːnsəˈleɪʃən/
the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
(plural) the deepest and most remote part
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
a state in which all hope is lost or absent
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
doubtfuladjectiveUS /ˈdaʊtfəl/
open to doubt or suspicion
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
at any time
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
Hat'snounUS /hæts/
possessive form of “hat” — headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
immediately past
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
the literary culture
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
Maggie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
used to form the superlative
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
prickedverbUS /prɪkt/
past form of “prick” — make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
on the contrary
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
To recall to mind.
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
not in physical motion
From this reading She was still rather doubtful how this was to be brought about, in spite of Mr. “Bad Hat’s” assurances.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
timidadjectiveUS /ˈtɪmɪd/
showing fear and lack of confidence
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
precisely as stated
From this reading She, being the most timid of the three, had been the most broken down by terror, and had, until now, remained in the very depths of despair.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
a unit of language that native speakers can identify
From this reading At this last word all the children pricked up their ears, especially Maggie.
the act of creating written works
From this reading But it was really almost a consolation to hear this called “an adventure,” and to remember that here was a subject for the most interesting of letters, provided they ever again reached home and friends, and had the opportunity of writing such.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Why! so it is an adventure,” said Bessie; “and Maggie said she wished we’d have some great adventure, but she didn’t mean this kind of a one; did you, Maggie?”
