used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
have
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
beggingnounUS /ˈbeɡɪŋ/
a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
BirdieverbUS /ˈbɜːrdi/
shoot in one stroke under par
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
borrowingnounUS /ˈbɑːroʊɪŋ/
the appropriation (of ideas or words etc) from another source
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
chatterverbUS /ˈtʃætər/
click repeatedly or uncontrollably
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
commandsnounUS /kəˈmændz/
plural of “command” — an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
cushionedadjectiveUS /ˈkʊʃənd/
softened by the addition of cushions or padding
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
dartedverbUS /ˈdɑːrtɪd/
past form of “dart” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
dressing-rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
being one more than seven
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
furryadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːri/
covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
Gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
gnomesnounUS /noʊmz/
plural of “gnome” — a legendary creature resembling a tiny old man; lives in the depths of the earth and guards buried treasure
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
good-humoredadjective
disposed to please
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
greasenounUS /ɡriːs/
a thick fatty oil (especially one used to lubricate machinery)
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
the sound of laughing
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
make-upnounUS /ˈmeɪkʌp/
an event that is substituted for a previously cancelled event
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
occasionaladjectiveUS /əˈkeɪʒənəl/
occurring from time to time
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
outburstsnounUS /ˈaʊtbɜːrsts/
plural of “outburst” — an unrestrained expression of emotion
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
make a painting
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
pandemoniumnounUS /ˌpændɪˈmoʊniəm/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
passerbynounUS /ˈpæsərbi/
a person who passes by casually or by chance
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
pawsnounUS /pɔːz/
plural of “paw” — a clawed foot of an animal especially a quadruped
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
peremptoryadjectiveUS /pərˈemptəri/
offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
practising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
quarter-past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
reeked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
reignedverbUS /reɪnd/
past form of “reign” — have sovereign power
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
rushingnounUS /ˈrʌʃɪŋ/
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
slappingverbUS /ˈslæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “slap” — hit with something flat, like a paddle or the open hand
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
stuffyadjectiveUS /ˈstʌfi/
lacking fresh air
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST NIGHT At a quarter-past eight in the dressing-rooms of the Gaiety, pandemonium reigned.
the-wisps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a perpetual chatter with occasional outbursts of laughter, followed by peremptory commands of "Less noise down there!"
tightsnounUS /taɪts/
skintight knit hose covering the body from the waist to the feet worn by acrobats and dancers and as stockings by women and girls
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
toesnounUS /toʊz/
plural of “toe” — one of the digits of the foot
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
touchesnounUS /ˈtʌtʃəz/
plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
towelnounUS /ˈtaʊəl/
a rectangular piece of absorbent cloth (or paper) for drying or wiping
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was hot and stuffy, and the air reeked with grease paint.
which person or people
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
will-o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red birds, fairies, gnomes, will-o'-the-wisps flitted about, begging, borrowing, stealing articles from each other in good-humored confusion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading In and out among them darted the little bear, slapping at each passerby with her furry paws, practising steps on her cushioned toes, and rushing back every now and then to Birdie, who stood before a mirror in red tights, with a towel around her neck, putting the final touches on her make-up.
