used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
AkronnounUS /ˈækrən/
a city in northeastern Ohio; the heart of the United States rubber industry
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
ancestraladjectiveUS /ænˈsestrəl/
inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
bronze-slippered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
catastrophenounUS /kəˈtæstrəfi/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
Cheshire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
echoverbUS /ˈekoʊ/
to say again or imitate
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
opinion or judgment
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
a social unit living together
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
Gloria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
grinningnounUS /ˈɡrɪnɪŋ/
a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Gwen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
Gwendolyn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
habitualadjectiveUS /həˈbɪtʃuːəl/
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
hallsnounUS /hɔːlz/
plural of “hall” — an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
with impatience; in an impatient manner
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
past form of “inquire” — address a question to and expect an answer from
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
and nothing more
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
immediately past
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
a room where books are kept
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
luxuriouslyadverb
in an indulgently luxurious manner
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
OhionounUS /oʊˈhaɪoʊ/
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
PublishingnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃɪŋ/
the business of issuing printed matter for sale or distribution
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
reverberateverbUS /rɪˈvɜːrbərət/
ring or echo with sound
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
Saalfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
be standing; be upright
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
not in physical motion
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
tappedadjectiveUS /tæpt/
in a condition for letting out liquid drawn out as by piercing or drawing a plug
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
toenounUS /toʊ/
one of the digits of the foot
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
upholsteredverbUS /əˈpoʊlstərd/
past form of “upholster” — provide furniture with padding, springs, webbing, and covers
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
Vandergrifts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
vanishverbUS /ˈvænɪʃ/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Gwendolyn tapped her bronze-slippered toe impatiently as she sat in a luxuriously upholstered chair in what, until this past week, had been the library in the Long Island home of the proud family of Vandergrifts.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
whirlwindnounUS /ˈwɜːrlwɪnd/
a more or less vertical column of air whirling around itself as it moves over the surface of the Earth
From this reading There certainly is nothing amusing about the whirlwind of a catastrophe that we have just been through and are still in, for that matter."
hope for; have a wish
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Gloria, the oldest of the four girls, ceased to smile but the pleasant expression, which was habitual to the blue eyes, did not entirely vanish as she inquired, "What would you have me do, Gwen?
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading The Saalfield Publishing Company Akron, Ohio New York "Now that the crash is over and the last echo has ceased to reverberate through our ancestral halls, the problem before the house is what shall the family of Vandergrifts do next?"
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Gloria, I do wish you wouldn't stand there grinning like a Cheshire cat.
