used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
AUTHORSnounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
plural of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
for the reason that
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
beginnersnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnərz/
plural of “beginner” — someone new to a field or activity
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
a young person of either sex
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
a timepiece that shows the time of day
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
command with authority
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
ETC
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
FABLEnounUS /ˈfeɪbəl/
a deliberately false or improbable account
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
GoosenounUS /ɡuːs/
web-footed long-necked typically gregarious migratory aquatic birds usually larger and less aquatic than ducks
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
and nothing more
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
LambnounUS /læm/
young sheep
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
limitedadjectiveUS /ˈlɪmətəd/
small in range or scope
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
creative writing of recognized artistic value
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
the world of commercial activity where goods and services are bought and sold
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
Mary'snounUS /ˈmeriz/
possessive form of “mary” — the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
come together
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
mousenounUS /maʊs/
any of numerous small rodents typically resembling diminutive rats having pointed snouts and small ears on elongated bodies with slender usually hairless tails
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
pignounUS /pɪɡ/
domestic swine
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
puzzlingadjectiveUS /ˈpʌzəlɪŋ/
not clear to the understanding
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
readersnounUS /ˈriːdərz/
plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
rhymesnounUS /raɪmz/
plural of “rhyme” — correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
an educational institution
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
sentencesnounUS /ˈsentənsəz/
plural of “sentence” — a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading AUTHORS OF "CHILD LIFE," "CHILD LIFE IN TALE AND FABLE," "CHILD LIFE IN MANY LANDS," "CHILD LIFE IN LITERATURE," ETC.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
vocabularynounUS /voʊˈkæbjəleri/
a listing of the words used in some enterprise
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
at the time that
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading Here they will learn why Mary's Lamb went to school, what the mouse was looking for when he ran up the clock, why one little pig went to market, how one little pig got lost, and the answers to a great many other puzzling questions.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The vocabulary is limited to words easily recognized by beginners in reading, and the sentences are made short and direct, so that they will be understood.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading The stories are written around some of the Mother Goose rhymes because the children love to meet old friends in books just as well as we do.
youngestadjectiveUS /ˈjʌŋɡəst/
superlative of “young” — (used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading This is a book of short stories for the youngest readers,--stories about old friends, which they can easily read themselves.
