used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
agedadjectiveUS /eɪdʒd/
advanced in years; (“aged” is pronounced as two syllables)
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
armchairnounUS /ˈɑːrmtʃer/
chair with a support on each side for arms
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
lacking funds
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
confidante's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
crippledadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪpəld/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
enlivenedadjectiveUS /enˈlaɪvənd/
made sprightly or cheerful
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
infuriatedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈfjʊrieɪtɪd/
marked by extreme anger
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
intentionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈtentʃənz/
plural of “intention” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
It's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Her son Johnny was most kind to her.
Johnny'snounUS /ˈdʒɑːniz/
possessive form of “johnny” — “Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
journeysnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrniz/
plural of “journey” — the act of traveling from one place to another
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
and nothing more
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading Her son Johnny was most kind to her.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
the sound of laughing
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Her son Johnny was most kind to her.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
and nothing more
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
prematurelyadverbUS /ˌpriːməˈtʃʊrli/
(of childbirth) before the end of the normal period of gestation
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
Rathbeg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
rheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/
any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
scythes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
somebody'snounUS /ˈsʌmbɑːdiz/
possessive form of “somebody” — a human being
From this reading “It’s much,” he said, “if somebody’s head isn’t broke over it.”
a male human offspring
From this reading Her son Johnny was most kind to her.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
unfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
precisely as stated
From this reading Johnny’s reserve on the subject of his jest had known one exception, very unfortunately for his confidante’s peace of mind.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
at the time that
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was his mother, a little old widow woman, prematurely aged and crippled by rheumatism, so that she had to be carried to and fro between her bed and her armchair, her only journeys.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It had been with the best intentions that he enlivened their morning meal by telling her all about the grand trick he had just played on the Rathbeg lads, and how infuriated they would be when they landed over with their scythes to cut nothing good or bad, and what a laugh it would raise on them, and what a splendid row was certain to follow.
