used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "No," she replied in an injured tone.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading "I'm going to comb your hair," she announced ingratiatingly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What are you after, Humbug--a new doll?"
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
brushverbUS /brʌʃ/
rub with a brush, or as if with a brush
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
brushedadjectiveUS /brʌʃt/
touched lightly in passing; grazed against
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
CHICKENnounUS /ˈtʃɪkən/
the flesh of a chicken used for food
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
combverbUS /koʊm/
straighten with a comb
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
comber-in-chief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
curlyadjectiveUS /ˈkɜːrli/
(of hair) having curls or waves
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
dearlyadverbUS /ˈdɪrli/
in a sincere and heartfelt manner
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
decentlyadverbUS /ˈdiːsəntli/
in a decent manner
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
dollnounUS /dɑːl/
a small replica of a person; used as a toy
From this reading "What are you after, Humbug--a new doll?"
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
a social unit living together
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
the act of departing
From this reading "I'm going to comb your hair," she announced ingratiatingly.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
only a very short time before
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
HumbugnounUS /ˈhʌmbʌɡ/
pretentious or silly talk or writing
From this reading "What are you after, Humbug--a new doll?"
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'm going to comb your hair," she announced ingratiatingly.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "No," she replied in an injured tone.
ingratiatinglyadverb
in a flattering and ingratiating manner
From this reading "I'm going to comb your hair," she announced ingratiatingly.
injuredadjectiveUS /ˈɪndʒərd/
harmed
From this reading "No," she replied in an injured tone.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
JANE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
Jane's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
held dear
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
MortonnounUS /ˈmɔːrtən/
United States jazz musician who moved from ragtime to New Orleans jazz (1885-1941)
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading "What are you after, Humbug--a new doll?"
not any; not one
From this reading "No," she replied in an injured tone.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
picnicnounUS /ˈpɪknɪk/
a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
proneadjectiveUS /proʊn/
having a tendency (to); often used in combination
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "No," she replied in an injured tone.
scratchedverbUS /skrætʃt/
past form of “scratch” — cause friction
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
shaggyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæɡi/
used of hair; thick and poorly groomed
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I'm going to comb your hair," she announced ingratiatingly.
shirkverbUS /ʃɜːrk/
avoid (one's assigned duties)
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
not moving or operating freely
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I'm going to comb your hair," she announced ingratiatingly.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading "No," she replied in an injured tone.
toothnounUS /tuːθ/
hard bonelike structures in the jaws of vertebrates; used for biting and chewing or for attack and defense
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dr. Morton dearly loved to have his shaggy curly head brushed, and scratched with the fine comb, and it was Jane's office to be comber-in-chief--a duty she was prone to shirk if she could.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What are you after, Humbug--a new doll?"
in the company of; together with
From this reading CHICKEN LITTLE JANE AND HER MOTHER Family prayers were hardly decently over the morning after the picnic before Jane Morton climbed into her father's lap armed with a fine tooth comb and a stiff hair brush.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What are you after, Humbug--a new doll?"
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I'm going to comb your hair," she announced ingratiatingly.
