used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
in the past
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
past form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
awakenedadjectiveUS /əˈweɪkənd/
aroused or activated
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
completely unclothed
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
barenessnoun
a bleak and desolate atmosphere
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
for the reason that
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
food made from dough of flour or meal and usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
actively or fully engaged or occupied
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
Camp'snounUS /kæmps/
possessive form of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
cupboardsnounUS /ˈkʌbərdz/
plural of “cupboard” — a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
take in solid food
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
to the same degree (often followed by “as”)
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
set up or found
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
friedadjectiveUS /fraɪd/
cooked by frying in fat
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
the act of departing
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
GulchnounUS /ɡʌltʃ/
a narrow gorge with a stream running through it
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
HubbardnounUS /ˈhʌbərd/
a United States writer of science fiction and founder of Scientology (1911-1986)
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
industrynounUS /ˈɪndəstri/
the people or companies engaged in a particular kind of commercial enterprise
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
and nothing more
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
loavesnounUS /loʊvz/
plural of “loaf” — a shaped mass of baked bread that is usually sliced before eating
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
NELL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
nurserynounUS /ˈnɜːrsəri/
a child's room for a baby
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
Patsey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
PetersnounUS /ˈpiːtərz/
plural of “peter” — disciple of Jesus and leader of the Apostles; regarded by Catholics as the vicar of Christ on earth and first Pope
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
piesnounUS /paɪz/
plural of “pie” — dish baked in pastry-lined pan often with a pastry top
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
porridgenounUS /ˈpɔːrədʒ/
soft food made by boiling oatmeal or other meal or legumes in water or milk until thick
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
potsnounUS /pɑːts/
plural of “pot” — metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
servingnounUS /ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
do one's shopping
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
disposed of to a purchaser
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
stewverbUS /stuː/
be in a huff; be silent or sullen
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
testifiedverbUS /ˈtestəfaɪd/
inflected form of “testify” — give testimony in a court of law
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading NELL had been busy since morning, and a great spread of pies, cakes, and bread in small loaves testified to her industry.
to-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
trailingnounUS /ˈtreɪlɪŋ/
the pursuit (of a person or animal) by following tracks or marks they left behind
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In fact, she and Patsey had made their breakfast from corn porridge and fried potatoes, because there was nothing else in the house to eat.
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading It was just one week ago to-day since they had arrived at the new house at Camp’s Gulch.
at the time that
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They had found to their amazement when they arrived that Mrs. Peters had already opened shop for them in the bare new house, and was serving pies and pots of stew to the tired miners trailing home from work.
the day immediately before today
From this reading She had been equally busy yesterday; but had sold everything out before going to bed, and had awakened this morning with a bareness of cupboards almost equal to Old Mother Hubbard of nursery fame.
