used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
BobbynounUS /ˈbɑːbi/
an informal term for a British policeman
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
chickensnounUS /ˈtʃɪkənz/
plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
conclavenounUS /ˈkɑːnkleɪv/
a confidential or secret meeting
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
conferencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfərəns/
a prearranged meeting for consultation or exchange of information or discussion (especially one with a formal agenda)
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
DISAPPEARANCEnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
being one more than seven
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
Esther's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
Fairfields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
your parents
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
giggledverbUS /ˈɡɪɡəld/
past form of “giggle” — laugh nervously
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
the act of departing
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
good-naturedadjective
having an easygoing and cheerful disposition
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
growsverbUS /ɡroʊz/
third-person singular of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
a social unit living together
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Perhaps I should say two.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
plural of “keep” — the financial means whereby one lives
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
a room where books are kept
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
Littell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
a formally arranged gathering
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
used to form the superlative
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
not any; not one
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
olderadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldər/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
by chance
From this reading Perhaps I should say two.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
ravingnounUS /ˈreɪvɪŋ/
declaiming wildly
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
express in words
From this reading Perhaps I should say two.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Perhaps I should say two.
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Perhaps I should say two.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A DISAPPEARANCE There was an exciting conclave at Fairfields that evening.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were eight in the young folks' meeting for Mrs. Littell insisted upon Esther's going to bed at a certain hour every evening "to get her beauty sleep."
at the time that
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "And I'll say she is sure to be a raving beauty when she grows up, if she keeps going to bed with the chickens," giggled Bobby.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading For in one room given over by the good-natured Mrs. Littell to the young folks there was a most noisy conclave while the older members of the household held a more quiet if no less earnest conference in the library.
