used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
tending to become more severe or wider in scope
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
(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 The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
for the reason that
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
an occurrence of something
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
cottageward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
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 The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
deriveverbUS /dərˈaɪv/
reason by deduction; establish by deduction
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
disagreedverbUS /dɪsəˈɡriːd/
past form of “disagree” — be of different opinions
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
DowningnounUS /ˈdaʊnɪŋ/
United States landscape architect who designed the grounds of the White House and the Capitol Building (1815-1852)
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
inflected form of “eat” — take in solid food
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
enlargingverbUS /ɪnˈlɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “enlarge” — make larger
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
to come or go into
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
enclose with a fence
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
flittingverbUS /ˈflɪtɪŋ/
inflected form of “flit” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/
Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Their motive was good.
graspingnounUS /ˈɡræspɪŋ/
understanding with difficulty
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
an opening into or through something
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
instantaneousadjectiveUS /ˌɪnstənˈtæniəs/
occurring with no delay
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
Mabel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
a feeling of thoughtful sadness
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
Milligans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
motivenounUS /ˈmoʊtɪv/
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
From this reading Their motive was good.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
inflected form of “occur” — come to pass
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
precautionnounUS /priˈkɔːʃən/
a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
radishesnounUS /ˈrædɪʃɪz/
plural of “radish” — pungent fleshy edible root
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
a rational motive for a belief or action
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
replenishingverbUS /riˈplenɪʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “replenish” — fill something that had previously been emptied
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
ResponsenounUS /rɪˈspɑːns/
a result
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
strollnounUS /stroʊl/
a leisurely walk (usually in some public place)
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
TelegramnounUS /ˈteləɡræm/
a message transmitted by telegraph
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
tendingnounUS /ˈtendɪŋ/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading They could not enter the cottage, of course, but it had occurred to them that it might be possible to derive a certain melancholy satisfaction from tending and replenishing the little garden.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Response to Mabel's Telegram The night of their flitting from Dandelion Cottage, the girls had hastily eaten all the radishes in the cottage garden to prevent their falling into the hands of the grasping Milligans.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Their motive was good.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
wishingnounUS /ˈwɪʃɪŋ/
a specific feeling of desire
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now, the morning after their visit to Mr. Downing, they were wishing that they hadn't; not because the radishes had disagreed with them, but for quite a different reason.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading That pleasure, at least, had not been forbidden them; but before beginning active operations, they took the precaution of enlarging the hole in the back fence, so that instantaneous flight would be possible in case Mr. Downing should stroll cottageward.
