used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
commonly used or practiced; usual
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
anew
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
(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 Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
plural of “article” — nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
beernounUS /bɪr/
a general name for alcoholic beverages made by fermenting a cereal (or mixture of cereals) flavored with hops
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
bonnetnounUS /ˈbɑːnət/
a hat tied under the chin
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
child'snounUS /tʃaɪldz/
possessive form of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
CRAZYadjectiveUS /ˈkreɪzi/
affected with madness or insanity
From this reading CRAZY DUCKLINGS.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
dolefuladjectiveUS /ˈdoʊlfəl/
filled with or evoking sadness
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
DUCKLINGSnounUS /ˈdʌklɪŋz/
plural of “duckling” — flesh of a young domestic duck
From this reading CRAZY DUCKLINGS.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
a social unit living together
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
frightnounUS /fraɪt/
an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
Grant'snounUS /ɡrænts/
possessive form of “grant” — any monetary aid
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
come to pass
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
where you live at a particular time
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
illnessnounUS /ˈɪlnəs/
impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
Katie's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
laboriousadjectiveUS /ləˈbɔːriəs/
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
something that is lost
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
used to form the superlative
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
a form of address for a man
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
Parlin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
by chance
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
regrettedverbUS /rɪˈɡretɪd/
inflected form of “regret” — feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
tea-pot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
express in words
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
in or at that place or location
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
precisely as stated
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
watering-trough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
at the time that
From this reading When the family came home, Miss Polly had a most doleful story to tell about Katie's experiment in the watering-trough, the child's illness, the explosion of the beer, and her own fright and "dreadful feelings."
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
Whiting's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In return for Miss Whiting's laborious services in taking care of the children, Mrs. Parlin gave her various articles of food to carry home; for Polly had one room in Mr. Grant's house, which she was accustomed to call her home, though she did not stay there very much.
witchesnounUS /ˈwɪtʃəz/
plural of “witch” — a female sorcerer or magician
From this reading Mrs. Parlin regretted the loss of the tea-pot; Miss Louise said she had heard of "witches making tea," and perhaps this was the way they did it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Polly sighed her gratitude, put on her dark bonnet, and said, as she went away,-- "Now, Mrs. Parlin, if it should so happen that you should all go away again, don't fail to ask me to come and keep house.
