used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was nearly a week after the ghost party.
(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 “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
awfullyadverbUS /ˈɑːfli/
used as intensifiers
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
Baedekers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
BETTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
brisklyadverbUS /ˈbrɪskli/
in a brisk manner
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
conclavenounUS /ˈkɑːnkleɪv/
a confidential or secret meeting
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
crustyadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌsti/
having a hardened crust as a covering
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
DISCOVERSverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərz/
third-person singular of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
brought together in one place
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading It was nearly a week after the ghost party.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
Glencoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
the act of retaining something
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
past form of “insist” — be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
Iona
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was nearly a week after the ghost party.
lodgingsnounUS /ˈlɑːdʒɪŋz/
temporary living quarters
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
appealing to the emotions as well as the eye
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
Madeline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was nearly a week after the ghost party.
neighborhoodnounUS /ˈneɪbərhʊd/
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
an organization to gain political power
From this reading It was nearly a week after the ghost party.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
pushingnounUS /ˈpʊʃɪŋ/
the act of applying force in order to move something away
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
sitting-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
SPECIALTYnounUS /ˈspeʃəlti/
an asset of special worth or utility
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
stationernounUS /ˈsteɪʃənər/
a merchant who sells writing materials and office supplies
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
STAYINGverbUS /ˈsteɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “stay” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
suggestingverbUS /səˈdʒestɪŋ/
-ing form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
express gratitude or show appreciation to
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading BETTY DISCOVERS HER SPECIALTY “STAYING in lodgings in a villa by the sea is awfully English, but so are a lot of other things,” said Madeline briskly.
visitingnounUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪŋ/
the activity of making visits
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was nearly a week after the ghost party.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
We've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We’ve seen about all there is to see in this neighborhood, and I think we ought to be pushing on.”
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was nearly a week after the ghost party.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
in or at the place that
From this reading Now they were gathered in the sitting-room, Baedekers in hand, holding a conclave on where to go next.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The girls had spent the two really pleasant days in visiting Glencoe and Iona, both of which were so lovely that Betty had insisted upon calling on the crusty old stationer to thank him for suggesting them.
