used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
in actual fact
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
(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 Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
Bartholomew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
BehaviornounUS /bɪˈheɪvjər/
manner of acting or controlling yourself
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
combinedadjectiveUS /kəmˈbaɪnd/
made or joined or united into one
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
concededverbUS /kənˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “concede” — admit (to a wrongdoing)
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
contentedadjectiveUS /kənˈtentəd/
satisfied or showing satisfaction with things as they are
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
a small house with a single story
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
CraneverbUS /kreɪn/
stretch (the neck) so as to see better
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
dineverbUS /daɪn/
have supper; eat dinner
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
divisible by two
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
every person
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
a social unit living together
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
formaladjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrməl/
being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress)
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
genuineadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenjəwən/
not fake or counterfeit
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
Grown-ups
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
harrowingly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
improvementsnounUS /ˌɪmˈpruːvmənts/
plural of “improvement” — a change for the better; progress in development
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
inexpensiveadjectiveUS /ˌɪnɪkˈspensɪv/
relatively low in price or charging low prices
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
ingeniousadjectiveUS /ɪnˈdʒiː.ni.əs/
Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
a request (spoken or written) to participate or be present or take part in something
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
immediately past
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
long-deferred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
Mabel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
a particular point in time
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
a form of address for a man
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
not-at-all-surprised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
a brief written record
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
not divisible by two
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
with considerable certainty; without much doubt
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
renovatedverbUS /ˈrenəveɪtɪd/
past form of “renovate” — restore to a previous or better condition
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
rent-paying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
reshingled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
satisfyverbUS /ˈsætəsfaɪ/
meet the requirements or expectations of
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
in the near future
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
spellingnounUS /ˈspelɪŋ/
forming words with letters according to the principles underlying accepted usage
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
carry out
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
precisely as stated
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
very-much-astonished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One day, very soon after the cottage was settled, a not-at-all-surprised Mr. Black and a very-much-astonished Mrs. Crane each received a formal invitation to dine under its reshingled roof.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At last, it looked to everybody as if the long-deferred dinner party were actually to take place.
which person or people
From this reading There, in readiness, were the girls, the money, the cottage, and Mr. Black, and nothing had happened to Mrs. Bartholomew Crane--who might easily, as Mabel suggested harrowingly, have moved away or died at any moment during the summer.
belonging to which person
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The Odd Behavior of the Grown-ups Even with all its ingenious though inexpensive improvements, the renovated cottage would probably have failed to satisfy a genuine rent-paying family, but to the contented girls it seemed absolutely perfect.
the act of creating written works
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading Composed by all four, the note was written by Jean, whose writing and spelling all conceded to be better than the combined efforts of the other three.
