used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What a bewildering scene it was!
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading What a bewildering scene it was!
butterfliesnounUS /ˈbʌtərflaɪz/
plural of “butterfly” — diurnal insect typically having a slender body with knobbed antennae and broad colorful wings
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
dancersnounUS /ˈdænsərz/
plural of “dancer” — a performer who dances professionally
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
delightsnounUS /dɪˈlaɪts/
plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
dottedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːtəd/
having a pattern of dots
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
driftedverbUS /ˈdrɪftəd/
past form of “drift” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
everything you own; all of your assets (whether real property or personal property) and liabilities
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
floatedverbUS /ˈfloʊtəd/
past form of “float” — be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
flutteringnounUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
the motion made by flapping up and down
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
any creature of exceptional size
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
glimpsedverbUS /ɡlɪmpst/
past form of “glimpse” — catch a glimpse of or see briefly
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
to a considerable degree
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
hintsnounUS /hɪnts/
plural of “hint” — an indirect suggestion
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
increasinglyadverbUS /ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/
advancing in amount or intensity
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What a bewildering scene it was!
ladenadjectiveUS /ˈleɪdən/
filled with a great quantity
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
ladledverbUS /ˈleɪdəld/
past form of “ladle” — put (a liquid) into a container by means of a ladle
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
the sound of laughing
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
lawnsnounUS /lɔːnz/
plural of “lawn” — a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
lemonadenounUS /ˈleməˈneɪd/
sweetened beverage of diluted lemon juice
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
any art that invokes supernatural powers
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
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 THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
marionettenoun
a small figure of a person operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
McGregor's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
multi-hued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
MYSTERIESnounUS /ˈmɪstəriz/
plural of “mystery” — something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
on one occasion
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
portalnounUS /ˈpɔːrtəl/
a grand and imposing entrance (often extended metaphorically)
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
punch-bowls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading What a bewildering scene it was!
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
SOLUTIONnounUS /səˈluːʃən/
a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
not in physical motion
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
strainsnounUS /streɪnz/
plural of “strain” — (physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
swarmedverbUS /swɔːrmd/
past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
tantalizingadjectiveUS /ˈtæntəlaɪzɪŋ/
arousing desire or expectation for something unattainable or mockingly out of reach
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
terracedverbUS /ˈterəst/
past form of “terrace” — provide (a house) with a terrace
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SOLUTION OF MANY MYSTERIES Once inside the magic portal of the great estate, however, Mrs. McGregor's task became increasingly difficult.
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
traysnounUS /treɪz/
plural of “tray” — an open receptacle for holding or displaying or serving articles or food
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/
a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
UnderprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
waitersnounUS /ˈweɪtərz/
plural of “waiter” — a person whose occupation is to serve at table (as in a restaurant)
From this reading The strains of a band and the laughter of dancers drifted forth from one; waiters with heavily laden trays passed in and out of another; around still a third swarmed children and one glimpsed through the open doorway a marionette show.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading What a bewildering scene it was!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What a bewildering scene it was!
in the company of; together with
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The green lawns, terraced down to the lake, were dotted with tents and from each one floated out tantalizing hints of the delights within.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Under a gay red umbrella at the edge of the garden women, fluttering like multi-hued butterflies, ladled lemonade from giant punch-bowls.
