used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
abodenounUS /əˈboʊd/
any address at which you dwell more than temporarily
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
the event of one object coming closer to another
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
have
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
belongingsnounUS /bɪˈlɔːŋɪŋz/
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
Brenda
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
recognizable; marked
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
denudedadjectiveUS /dɪˈnuːdɪd/
without the natural or usual covering
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
the act of departing
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
a social unit living together
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
good-byenounUS /ɡɪdˈbaɪ/
a farewell remark
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
homelikeadjectiveUS /ˈhoʊmlaɪk/
having a feeling of home; cozy and comfortable
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
immediately past
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
engage in
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
mantelpieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
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 The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
Martine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
and nothing more
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
ornamentsnounUS /ˈɔːrnəmənts/
plural of “ornament” — something used to beautify
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
packedadjectiveUS /pækt/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading Her trunks were packed.
the act of departing politely
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
on the contrary
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
spendingnounUS /ˈspendɪŋ/
the act of spending or disbursing money
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
be standing; be upright
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
not in physical motion
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
carry out
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading Her trunks were packed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ANOTHER PARTING To Martine the return to Boston after Christmas was far from cheerful.
look attentively
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Her trunks were packed.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While her mother was spending a day or two with friends outside the city, Martine had to stand by and watch Brenda bidding good-bye to her family and friends.
wiseradjectiveUS /ˈwaɪzər/
comparative of “wise” — having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading The walls and mantelpieces were denuded of many little pictures and ornaments; for at the last she had decided that it was wiser to take some of her more personal belongings with her to make her new abode more homelike.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Not only was she still under the shadow of the parting with her father, but she began to feel that the approaching departure of Brenda would be rather hard to bear.
