used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
ambitiousadjectiveUS /æmˈbɪʃəs/
having a strong desire for success or achievement
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
any thing at all
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
centsnounUS /sents/
plural of “cent” — a fractional monetary unit of several countries
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
a young person of either sex
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
composingnounUS /kəmˈpoʊzɪŋ/
the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
cottage-mates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
desertionnounUS /dɪˈzɜːrʃən/
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance or responsibility
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
disposalnounUS /dɪˈspoʊzəl/
the power to use something or someone
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
fifty-fiveadjective
being five more than fifty
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
the act of departing
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
hardestadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdəst/
superlative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
laboriouslyadverbUS /ləˈbɔːriəsli/
in a laborious manner
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
Mabel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
Milligans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
a particular point in time
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
on one occasion
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
planningnounUS /ˈplænɪŋ/
an act of formulating a program for a definite course of action
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
preciselyadverbUS /prɪˈsaɪsli/
indicating exactness or preciseness
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
projectverbUS /ˈprɑːdʒekt/
communicate vividly
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
savingnounUS /ˈseɪvɪŋ/
an act of economizing; reduction in cost
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
self-sacrificingadjective
willing to deprive yourself
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
shirkverbUS /ʃɜːrk/
avoid (one's assigned duties)
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
telegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
in or at that place or location
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
unappreciativeadjective
not feeling or expressing gratitude
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
offensive or disagreeable; causing discomfort or unhappiness
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
precisely as stated
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was precisely like Mabel, they said, to shirk when there was anything unpleasant to be done.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
at the time that
From this reading Mabel Plans a Surprise The girls were indignant later when they discovered Mabel's apparent desertion.
which person or people
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
in the company of; together with
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading For Mabel was at that very moment doing what was for her the hardest kind of work; all alone in her own room at home she was laboriously composing a telegram.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The girls might have known that nothing short of an ambitious project for saving the cottage from the Milligans would have kept the child away when so much was going on.
wronging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For once, however, they were wronging Mabel--poor, self-sacrificing Mabel, who with fifty-five cents at her disposal was planning a beautiful surprise for her unappreciative cottage-mates.
