used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A birthday happened to Mrs. Twist--her fortieth.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
(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 So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
anniversariesnounUS /ˌænəˈvɜːrsəriz/
plural of “anniversary” — the date on which an event occurred in some previous year (or the celebration of it)
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading A birthday happened to Mrs. Twist--her fortieth.
birthdaysnounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪz/
plural of “birthday” — an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
boughsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
celebrationsnounUS /ˌseləˈbreɪʃənz/
plural of “celebration” — a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
communitynounUS /kəˈmjuːnəti/
a group of people living in a particular local area
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
decoratedadjectiveUS /ˈdekəreɪtɪd/
provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
districtnounUS /ˈdɪstrɪkt/
a region marked off for administrative or other purposes
From this reading She and Mr. Twist were the oldest inhabitants of the district and the birthday was a great occasion.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
eucalyptusnounUS /ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs/
wood of any of various eucalyptus trees valued as timber
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
apart from; not including
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
festiveadjectiveUS /ˈfestɪv/
offering fun and gaiety
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
fortiethnounUS /ˈfɔːrtiɪθ/
position 40 in a countable series of things
From this reading A birthday happened to Mrs. Twist--her fortieth.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
greetedverbUS /ˈɡriːtəd/
past form of “greet” — express greetings upon meeting someone
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
grownupsnounUS /ˈɡroʊnʌps/
plural of “grownup” — a fully developed person from maturity onward
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A birthday happened to Mrs. Twist--her fortieth.
hilariouslyadverbUS /hɪˈleriəsli/
in a hilarious manner
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
HomesteadnounUS /ˈhoʊmsted/
the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
homesteadsnounUS /ˈhoʊmstedz/
plural of “homestead” — the home and adjacent grounds occupied by a family
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading She and Mr. Twist were the oldest inhabitants of the district and the birthday was a great occasion.
InvitationsnounUS /ˌɪnvɪˈteɪʃənz/
plural of “invitation” — a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
and nothing more
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
Klondyke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
not compact or dense in structure or arrangement
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
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 Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
a form of address for a man
From this reading She and Mr. Twist were the oldest inhabitants of the district and the birthday was a great occasion.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A birthday happened to Mrs. Twist--her fortieth.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading She and Mr. Twist were the oldest inhabitants of the district and the birthday was a great occasion.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
oldestadjectiveUS /ˈoʊldəst/
superlative of “old” — (used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She and Mr. Twist were the oldest inhabitants of the district and the birthday was a great occasion.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She and Mr. Twist were the oldest inhabitants of the district and the birthday was a great occasion.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
plural of “sort” — a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
two times
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
TwistverbUS /twɪst/
to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
From this reading A birthday happened to Mrs. Twist--her fortieth.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
precisely as stated
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She and Mr. Twist were the oldest inhabitants of the district and the birthday was a great occasion.
wattlenounUS /ˈwɑːtəl/
a fleshy wrinkled and often brightly colored fold of skin hanging from the neck or throat of certain birds (chickens and turkeys) or lizards
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
wedding-days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At Klondyke and Loose End they were great on celebrations.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Invitations were passed round from hand to mouth; about twenty grownups and twice as many children turned up one Saturday afternoon just before tea at the Homestead, which, decorated in branches of wattle and boughs of eucalyptus, looked very festive.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading So very little except work happened that birthdays wedding-days, and anniversaries of all sorts wore greeted hilariously, and the various members of the community took it in turn to hold them at their various homesteads.
