used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
AdamsnounUS /ˈædəmz/
American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
how long something has existed
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
(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 He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
the sister of your father or mother; the wife of your uncle
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
cause to be bored
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
a youthful male person
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
cousinsnounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
plural of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
one or the other of two
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
Flyawayadjective
guided by whim and fancy
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
hindnounUS /haɪnd/
any of several mostly spotted fishes that resemble groupers
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
Horace'snounUS /ˈhɔːrəsəz/
possessive form of “horace” — Roman lyric poet said to have influenced English poetry (65-8 BC)
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
lambnounUS /læm/
young sheep
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
staying power
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
Lonnie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
Martha's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
muttonnounUS /ˈmʌtən/
meat from a mature domestic sheep
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
plural of “picture” — a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
PussynounUS /ˈpʊsi/
obscene terms for female genitals
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
woolly usually horned ruminant mammal related to the goat
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
sleepier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure
From this reading But it did not please Flyaway; neither did aunt Martha's collection of shells and pictures call forth a single smile.
spoonnounUS /spuːn/
a piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Lonnie Adams, a boy of Horace's age, tried to interest her.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
precisely as stated
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
WAKINGadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/
Risen from sleep; conscious.
From this reading WAKING.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
in or at the place that
From this reading Flyaway was very much sleepier than either of her cousins, and really did not know where she was, or what she was doing.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He made believe the old cat was a sheep, killed her with an iron spoon, and hung her up by the hind legs for mutton, all which Pussy bore like a lamb, for she had been killed a great many times, and was used to it.
