used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
a feeling of delighted approval and liking
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
Ainʼt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ainʼt she stunnin?”
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
appraisement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
arrayedadjectiveUS /ərˈeɪd/
in ceremonial attire and paraphernalia
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
a container that is usually woven and has handles
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
BoxingnounUS /ˈbɑːksɪŋ/
fighting with the fists
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
braceletsnounUS /ˈbreɪslɪts/
plural of “bracelet” — a band of cloth or leather or metal links attached to a wristwatch and wrapped around the wrist
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
broochnounUS /bruːtʃ/
a decorative pin worn by women
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
bushelnounUS /ˈbʊʃəl/
a United States dry measure equal to 4 pecks or 2152.42 cubic inches
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
cameonounUS /ˈkæmioʊ/
engraving or carving in low relief on a stone (as in a brooch or ring)
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
challengedverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒd/
past form of “challenge” — take exception to
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
corneliannoun
a translucent red or orange variety of chalcedony
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
counternounUS /ˈkaʊntər/
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
CupidnounUS /ˈkjuːpɪd/
(Roman mythology) god of love; counterpart of Greek Eros
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
Ducksacre
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
earringsnounUS /ˈɪrɪŋz/
plural of “earring” — jewelry to ornament the ear; usually clipped to the earlobe or fastened through a hole in the lobe
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
errandnounUS /ˈerənd/
a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
inflected form of “forget” — dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
gasnounUS /ɡæs/
the state of matter distinguished from the solid and liquid states by: relatively low density and viscosity
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
a person of German nationality
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
giltadjectiveUS /ɡɪlt/
having the deep slightly brownish color of gold
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
a young female
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/
dazzlingly beautiful
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
haʼporths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
Lor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
MarsnounUS /mɑːrz/
a small reddish planet that is the 4th from the sun and is periodically visible to the naked eye; minerals rich in iron cover its surface and are responsible for its characteristic color
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
necklacenounUS /ˈnekləs/
jewelry consisting of a cord or chain (often bearing gems) worn about the neck as an ornament (especially by women)
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
penetrationnounUS /ˌpenəˈtreɪʃən/
an attack that penetrates into enemy territory
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
prigging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
shamnounUS /ʃæm/
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ainʼt she stunnin?”
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
speckedadjective
having a pattern of dots
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
Spexs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
splendournounUS /ˈsplendər/
magnificent and impressive appearance
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
strictestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪktəst/
superlative of “strict” — rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
stunnin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ainʼt she stunnin?”
suckingnounUS /ˈsʌkɪŋ/
the act of sucking
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
sweetheartnounUS /ˈswiːthɑːrt/
a person loved by another person
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
the chair of state for a monarch, bishop, etc.
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
upsidenounUS /ˈʌpˈsaɪd/
the highest or uppermost side of anything
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Polly Ducksacre was sitting in state behind the little counter, and opposite the gas–jet, upon her throne—a bushel basket set upside down on another.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
at the time that
From this reading “Spexs her sweetheart in a coach and four,” exclaimed one little girl of great penetration; “oh give us a ride, miss, when he comes.”
which person or people
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The children who came in for “haʼporths of specked” forgot their errand and hopes of prigging, and, sucking their lips with wild admiration, cried “Lor now!
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was the evening of Boxing Day, and Polly was arrayed with a splendour that challenged the strictest appraisement; so gorgeous were her gilt earrings, cornelian necklace, sham cameo brooch—Cupid stealing the sword of Mars—and German–silver bracelets.
