used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
aglowadjectiveUS /əˈɡloʊ/
softly bright or radiant
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
united by being of the same opinion
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
(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 "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
assertedadjectiveUS /əˈsɜːrtɪd/
confidently declared to be so
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
candynounUS /ˈkændi/
a rich sweet made of flavored sugar and often combined with fruit or nuts
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
ceremonialnounUS /ˌserəˈmoʊniəl/
a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
CLUEnounUS /kluː/
a slight indication
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
gotten under control
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
greatly pleasing or entertaining
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
every person
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
excitedlyadverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪtədli/
with excitement; in an excited manner
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
festivitynounUS /feˈstɪvəti/
any joyous diversion
From this reading Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
floorsnounUS /flɔːrz/
plural of “floor” — the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
hamperverbUS /ˈhæmpər/
prevent the progress or free movement of
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
a social unit living together
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
Julie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
McGregor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
McGregors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
MurphysnounUS /ˈmɜːrfiz/
plural of “murphy” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
of an obscure nature
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
O'Dowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
orangenounUS /ˈɔːrəndʒ/
round yellow to orange fruit of any of several citrus trees
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
popcornnounUS /ˈpɑːpkɔːrn/
corn having small ears and kernels that burst when exposed to dry heat
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
made ready or fit or suitable beforehand
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
presentsnounUS /ˈprezənts/
plural of “present” — the period of time that is happening now; any continuous stretch of time including the moment of speech
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
past form of “produce” — bring forth or yield
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
satinyadjective
having a smooth, gleaming surface reflecting light
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
have in common
From this reading Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.
encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
spangledadjectiveUS /ˈspæŋɡəld/
covered with beads or jewels or sequins
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
stairwaynounUS /ˈsterweɪ/
a way of access (upward and downward) consisting of a set of steps
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
stripedadjectiveUS /straɪpt/
marked or decorated with stripes
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
SullivansnounUS /ˈsʌlɪvənz/
plural of “sullivan” — United States architect known for his steel framed skyscrapers and for coining the phrase “form follows function” (1856-1924)
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.
swelledadjectiveUS /sweld/
feeling self-importance
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
tinselverbUS /ˈtɪnsəl/
impart a cheap brightness to
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
trailedverbUS /treɪld/
past form of “trail” — to lag or linger behind
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
plural of “visitor” — someone who visits
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was popcorn for everybody and satiny striped candy, and from the mysterious basket an orange for each guest was produced.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Therefore the neighbors were summoned in to share in the festivity.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
at the time that
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
in the company of; together with
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading And after the visitors had trailed down the long stairway, shouting back their pleasure and gratitude, the wonderful dinner the hamper contained was prepared, and what a delightful ceremonial that was!
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
From this reading "When we have so much ourselves it would be wrong to keep it all," Mrs. McGregor had asserted; and her household fully agreed with her.
youngstersnounUS /ˈjʌŋstərz/
plural of “youngster” — a young person of either sex
From this reading A CLUE The next morning, fluttering excitedly round a Christmas tree spangled with tinsel and aglow with lights, the McGregors received their presents; and not they alone, for Julie O'Dowd, with her five youngsters, swelled the party, together with the Murphys and the Sullivans from the floors below.
