used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
alasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/
used to show sadness, pity, or regret
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
(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 SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
in addition
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
exhale hard
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
calamitynounUS /kəˈlæməti/
an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
Carl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
give encouragement to
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
ChinanounUS /ˈtʃaɪnə/
a communist nation that covers a vast territory in eastern Asia; the most populous country in the world
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
consternationnounUS /ˌkɑːnstərˈneɪʃən/
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading "Somebody else sail my ship!" gasped the captain, every syllable of the phrase echoing consternation.
an assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
Dillingham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
direadjectiveUS /daɪr/
fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading "Somebody else sail my ship!" gasped the captain, every syllable of the phrase echoing consternation.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading "Somebody else sail my ship!" gasped the captain, every syllable of the phrase echoing consternation.
exceptionnounUS /ɪkˈsepʃən/
a deliberate act of omission
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
a social unit living together
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
FredericknounUS /ˈfredrɪk/
a town in northern Maryland to the west of Baltimore
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading "Somebody else sail my ship!" gasped the captain, every syllable of the phrase echoing consternation.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
Harling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
holidaysnounUS /ˈhɑːlədeɪz/
plural of “holiday” — leisure time away from work devoted to rest or pleasure
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
immutableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmjuːtəbəl/
not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
lamentableadjectiveUS /ləˈmentəbəl/
bad; unfortunate
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several)
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
McGregor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
MulberrynounUS /ˈmʌlberi/
any of several trees of the genus Morus having edible fruit that resembles the blackberry
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Somebody else sail my ship!" gasped the captain, every syllable of the phrase echoing consternation.
not any; not one
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
and nothing more
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
overshadowedverbUS /ˌoʊvərˈʃædoʊd/
past form of “overshadow” — be greater in significance than
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
phrasenounUS /freɪz/
an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence
From this reading "Somebody else sail my ship!" gasped the captain, every syllable of the phrase echoing consternation.
a feeling of self-respect and personal worth
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
an educational institution
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
transport commercially
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
a person, without saying who
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
SPINNINGnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/
creating thread
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
the rays of the sun
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
moving very fast
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
syllablenounUS /ˈsɪləbəl/
a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme
From this reading "Somebody else sail my ship!" gasped the captain, every syllable of the phrase echoing consternation.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
Tim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
universaladjectiveUS /ˌjuːnəˈvɜːrsəl/
of worldwide scope or applicability
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
precisely as stated
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
visitsnounUS /ˈvɪzɪts/
plural of “visit” — the act of going to see some person or place or thing for a short time
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
wailedverbUS /weɪld/
past form of “wail” — emit long loud cries
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
at the time that
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
in or at the place that
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
which person or people
From this reading The latter calamity entirely overshadowed the former and was a very real blow not only to Mulberry Court, where the captain had become an object of universal pride and affection, but also to the Harling family who had come to depend on his daily visits for cheer and sunshine.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
YARNSnounUS /jɑːrnz/
plural of “yarn” — the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events
From this reading SPINNING YARNS All good things, alas, come to an end and the McGregor's Christmas holidays were no exception to this immutable law.
but in spite of that
From this reading A day arrived when Carl, Mary and Tim were obliged to return to school, and following swift on the heels of this dire occasion came a yet more lamentable one when Uncle Frederick Dillingham was forced to go back to his ship and sail for China.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't see why somebody else can't sail your ship to China, Uncle Frederick, and let you stay here," wailed Mary.
