AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
after-dinner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
Belden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
BRIEFadjectiveUS /briːf/
of short duration or distance
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
BrooksnounUS /brʊks/
United States literary critic and historian (1886-1963)
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
busyadjectiveUS /ˈbɪzi/
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
dancingnounUS /ˈdænsɪŋ/
taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
DEARadjectiveUS /dɪr/
dearly loved
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
DEFENSEnounUS /dɪˈfens/
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
dinnernounUS /ˈdɪnər/
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
Don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
DOROTHY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
girlsnounUS /ɡɜːrlz/
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
HardingnounUS /ˈhɑːrdɪŋ/
29th President of the United States; two of his appointees were involved in the Teapot Dome scandal (1865-1823)
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
HousenounUS /haʊs/
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
IdanounUS /ˈaɪdə/
an agency of the United Nations affiliated with the World Bank
From this reading Ida Ludwig was playing for them.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
knowverbUS /noʊ/
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
LawrencenounUS /ˈlɔːrəns/
Roman martyr; supposedly Lawrence was ordered by the police to give up the church's treasure and when he responded by presenting the poor people of Rome he was roasted to death on a gridiron (died in 258)
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
lotnounUS /lɑːt/
(often followed by “of”) a large number or amount or extent
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
Ludwig
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ida Ludwig was playing for them.
Marion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
MarynounUS /ˈmeri/
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
minutenounUS /ˈmɪnət/
a unit of time equal to 60 seconds or 1/60th of an hour
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
nobodypronounUS /ˈnoʊbɑːdiː/
no person; not anyone
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
OhnounUS /oʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
parlorsnounUS /ˈpɑːrlərz/
plural of “parlor” — reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
perfectlyadverbUS /ˈpɜːrfəktli/
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
playingnounUS /ˈpleɪɪŋ/
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Ida Ludwig was playing for them.
respitenounUS /ˈrespɪt/
a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
slippedverbUS /slɪpt/
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
talkverbUS /tɔːk/
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
talkingnounUS /ˈtɔːkɪŋ/
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Ida Ludwig was playing for them.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading A BRIEF FOR THE DEFENSE "DEAR DOROTHY-- "I have thought and thought all the afternoon and I can't do it.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
up-stairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
welcomeverbUS /ˈwelkəm/
accept gladly
From this reading The rest of the Belden House girls still lingered in the parlors, talking or dancing,--enjoying the brief after-dinner respite that is a welcome feature of each busy day at Harding.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Mary can always talk--" "Oh, Dorothy, I don't know what to say--" Betty had slipped up-stairs to her room the minute dinner was over.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading I should only--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "If you are perfectly sure that there is nobody else to go--" "DEAR DOROTHY-- "Don't you think that Mary Brooks or Marion Lawrence would be a lot better?
