used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
in the past
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
highly favored or fortunate (as e.g. by divine grace)
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
treated by heating to a high temperature but below the melting or fusing point
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
carolnounUS /ˈkærəl/
joyful religious song celebrating the birth of Christ
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
centuriesnounUS /ˈsentʃəriz/
plural of “century” — a period of 100 years
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
colonistnounUS /ˈkɑːlənɪst/
a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
dippingverbUS /ˈdɪpɪŋ/
inflected form of “dip” — immerse briefly into a liquid so as to wet, coat, or saturate
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
fittingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪŋ/
in harmony with the spirit of particular persons or occasion
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
Hannah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They were her little candles, to be used as she wished.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
set down according to a plan
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
meeting-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
Nathaniel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
and nothing more
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
practisedadjectiveUS /ˈpræktɪst/
skillful after much practice
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
characterized by feeling or showing fond affection for
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
rodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
settlementnounUS /ˈsetəlmənt/
a body of people who settle far from home but maintain ties with their homeland; inhabitants remain nationals of their home state but are not literally under the home state's system of government
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were her little candles, to be used as she wished.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
inflected form of “slip” — move stealthily
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
sungnounUS /sʌŋ/
the imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
From this reading But at the small white meeting-house Hannah and the other little colonist children practised a carol to be sung on Christmas Day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were her little candles, to be used as she wished.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading They were her little candles, to be used as she wished.
precisely as stated
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
at the time that
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
in or at the place that
From this reading There were slight preparations for it in the little New England settlement where Hannah lived for it was not thought fitting to be merry and gay at Christmas time these centuries ago.
a Caucasian
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading They were her little candles, to be used as she wished.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading The days, white with snow and very cold, wore on until it was only a week before the blessed Christmas day.
covered with or as if with clothes or a wrap or cloak
From this reading When the candle dipping was over and the precious candles were laid away to be burned only if the father and little Nathaniel came home, Hannah slipped six, as small as Christmas tree candles, from one rod and wrapped them carefully in a bit of fair white linen.
