used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
for the reason that
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
dearly loved
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
Bettie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
Bettie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
botherverbUS /ˈbɑːðər/
take the trouble to do something; concern oneself
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
a small house with a single story
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
croupyadjective
resembling or arising from or indicating croup
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
DandelionnounUS /ˈdændəlaɪən/
any of several herbs of the genus Taraxacum having long tap roots and deeply notched leaves and bright yellow flowers followed by fluffy seed balls
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
deafadjectiveUS /def/
lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing wholly or in part
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
dentist'snounUS /ˈdentɪsts/
possessive form of “dentist” — a person qualified to practice dentistry
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
zealous in devotion or affection
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
doubtfullyadverb
in a doubtful manner
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
gladlyadverbUS /ˈɡlædli/
in a willing manner
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
the act of departing
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
come to pass
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
Laura
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
the act of departing
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
full of life and energy
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
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 A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
Milligan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
next-to-the-youngest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
sewingnounUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
joining or attaching by stitches
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
express in words
From this reading Before going to Bettie's, however, Jean ran over to Dandelion Cottage to tell the other girls about it.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
TuckernounUS /ˈtʌkər/
United States anarchist influential before World War I (1854-1939)
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
UnfortunatelyadverbUS /ənˈfɔːrtʃənətli/
by bad luck
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A Lively Afternoon It happened one day that Mrs. Milligan was obliged to spend a long afternoon at the dentist's, leaving Laura in charge of the house.
at the time that
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
which person or people
From this reading Devoted Jean offered to stay with her beloved Bettie, who gladly accepted the offer.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Unfortunately it happened, too, that this was the day when the sewing society met, and Mrs. Tucker had asked Bettie to stay home for the afternoon because the next-to-the-youngest baby was ill with a croupy cold and could not go out of doors to the cottage.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
you'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mabel," asked Jean, a little doubtfully, "are you quite sure you'll be able to turn a deaf ear if Laura should happen to bother you?
