adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
a-milking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
Alec
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/
past form of “answer” — react verbally
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
astonishedadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃt/
filled with the emotional impact of overwhelming surprise or shock
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
beruffled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
cabbagenounUS /ˈkæbədʒ/
any of various types of cabbage
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
chambernounUS /ˈtʃeɪmbər/
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
ClearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading “Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am.
cupnounUS /kʌp/
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am.
doingverbUS /ˈduːɪŋ/
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
examiningverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/
past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
fartheradjectiveUS /ˈfɑːrðər/
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
finishedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪnɪʃt/
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am.
goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/
the act of departing
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
hallnounUS /hɔːl/
an interior passage or corridor onto which rooms open
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
ma'amnounUS /mæm/
a woman of refinement
From this reading “Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am.
maidnounUS /meɪd/
a female domestic
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
morningnounUS /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
nightcapnoun
an alcoholic drink taken at bedtime; often alcoholic
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
personnounUS /ˈpɜːrsən/
a human being
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading “Clearing our pipes for the day, ma'am.
poppedverbUS /pɑːpt/
inflected form of “pop” — bulge outward
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
roomnounUS /ruːm/
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
RosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
singverbUS /sɪŋ/
deliver by singing
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
sirnounUS /sɜːr/
term of address for a man
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
spokenounUS /spoʊk/
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
stepnounUS /step/
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
stylenounUS /staɪl/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/
moved around an axis or center
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
UnclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
versenounUS /vɜːrs/
literature in metrical form
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
voicenounUS /vɔɪs/
the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
wavingnounUS /ˈweɪvɪŋ/
the act of signaling by a movement of the hand
From this reading “I'm going a-milking, sir, she said,” answered Rose, waving the cup; and then they finished the verse together in fine style.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
WhereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading When Rose came out of her chamber, cup in hand, next morning, the first person she saw was Uncle Alec standing on the threshold of the room opposite, which he appeared to be examining with care.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Before either spoke, a head, in a nightcap so large and beruffled that it looked like a cabbage, popped out of a room farther down the hall, and an astonished voice exclaimed, “What in the world are you doing about so early?”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading When he heard her step, he turned about and began to sing, “Where are you going, my pretty maid?”
