used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
allowancenounUS /əˈlaʊəns/
an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and imagination
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/
for a short time
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
Bess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
Betsy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
budsnounUS /bʌdz/
plural of “bud” — a partially opened flower
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
conservatorynounUS /kənˈsɜːrvətɔːri/
the faculty and students of a school specializing in one of the fine arts
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It was the first day which had suggested a promise of spring.
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 THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
firstlings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
furryadjectiveUS /ˈfɜːri/
covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
the one or ones belonging to her
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
engage in
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
march in a procession
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
neighborsnounUS /ˈneɪbərz/
plural of “neighbor” — a person who lives (or is located) near another
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
on one occasion
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
and nothing more
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
make a promise or commitment
From this reading It was the first day which had suggested a promise of spring.
pussywillows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
the season of growth
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading It was the first day which had suggested a promise of spring.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
a person whose occupation is teaching
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
violetsnounUS /ˈvaɪələts/
plural of “violet” — any of numerous low-growing violas with small flowers
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
desired or wished for or sought
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ARTIST It was one afternoon early in March that Elizabeth started out to look for pussywillows.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/
a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading She went alone, for she wanted to be the one to make this first spring offering to her teacher.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
in or at the place that
From this reading She thought she knew a place where some of the brave little furry buds might have put out sooner than their neighbors and to this spot she took her way.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was the first day which had suggested a promise of spring.
which person or people
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
in the company of; together with
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading She could not, like Betsy, supply her with flowers from a conservatory, nor had she such a weekly allowance as Bess, who could, once in awhile, commission Hal to send violets from town, but these firstlings of the year were hers for the gathering, if only she could find them.
