used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
bread-and-butter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
bright-faced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
bunsnounUS /bʌnz/
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
cakenounUS /keɪk/
a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
children's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
clergymannounUS /ˈklɜːrdʒimən/
a member of the clergy and a spiritual leader of the Christian Church
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
commonsnounUS /ˈkɑːmənz/
a piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
elmsnounUS /elmz/
plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
extensivelyadverbUS /ɪkˈstensɪvli/
in a widespread way
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
a person who operates a farm
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
Grismond's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
handingverbUS /ˈhændɪŋ/
-ing form of “hand” — place into the hands or custody of
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
feeling hunger; feeling a need or desire to eat food
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/
a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
mothersnounUS /ˈmʌðərz/
plural of “mother” — a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
a form of address for a man
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
not any; not one
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
platesnounUS /pleɪts/
plural of “plate” — (baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
pouringadjectiveUS /ˈpɔːrɪŋ/
flowing profusely
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
preparationnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃən/
the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
RopernounUS /ˈroʊpər/
a decoy who lures customers into a gambling establishment (especially one with a fixed game)
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
rowsnounUS /roʊz/
plural of “row” — an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
an educational institution
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading STRUCK!
tablesnounUS /ˈteɪbəlz/
plural of “table” — a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE "big meadow round near Farmer Grismond's" presented a gay scene that afternoon.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
the topmost one of two
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
precisely as stated
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Two long tables were early spread at its upper end, under the shade of some large elms; and four rows of bright-faced children went in extensively for tea and buns and cake.
a married woman; a man's partner in marriage
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The clergyman, Mr. Roper, was present; and his wife, with several other ladies to help, was very busy, pouring out tea and handing plates of bread-and-butter.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Some of the children's mothers had kept them on short commons since breakfast, in preparation for the school feast: so no wonder the little things were hungry.
