used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
(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 RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
barrelsnounUS /ˈbærəlz/
the amount that many barrels might hold
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
bayberrynoun
West Indian tree; source of bay rum
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
beautifullyadverbUS /ˈbjuːtəfli/
in a beautiful manner
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading “Please mayn’t I try it only once?” she begged.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
a youthful male person
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
cornstalksnounUS /ˈkɔːrnstɔːks/
plural of “cornstalk” — the stalk of a corn plant
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
Cousin'snounUS /ˈkʌzənz/
possessive form of “cousin” — the child of your aunt or uncle
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
easiestadjectiveUS /ˈiːziəst/
superlative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
a person who is older than you are
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
fiddlesnounUS /ˈfɪdəlz/
plural of “fiddle” — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
fullestadjectiveUS /ˈfʊləst/
superlative of “full” — containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
garretnounUS /ˈɡerɪt/
floor consisting of open space at the top of a house just below roof; often used for storage
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
harnessverbUS /ˈhɑːrnəs/
put a harness
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Please mayn’t I try it only once?” she begged.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
loomverbUS /luːm/
come into view indistinctly, often threateningly
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
lumpyadjectiveUS /ˈlʌmpi/
like or containing small sticky lumps
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
maplenounUS /ˈmeɪpəl/
wood of any of various maple trees; especially the hard close-grained wood of the sugar maple; used especially for furniture and flooring
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
mayn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Please mayn’t I try it only once?” she begged.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
mouldsnounUS /moʊldz/
plural of “mould” — loose soil rich in organic matter
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
on one occasion
From this reading “Please mayn’t I try it only once?” she begged.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
and nothing more
From this reading “Please mayn’t I try it only once?” she begged.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “Please mayn’t I try it only once?” she begged.
popguns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
pushverbUS /pʊʃ/
move with force
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
RAINYadjectiveUS /ˈreɪni/
(of weather) wet by periods of rain
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
shuttleverbUS /ˈʃʌtəl/
travel back and forth between two points
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
skillfuladjectiveUS /ˈskɪlfəl/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
slidingadjectiveUS /ˈslaɪdɪŋ/
being a smooth continuous motion
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
stemsnounUS /stemz/
plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
sugarnounUS /ˈʃʊɡər/
a white crystalline carbohydrate used as a sweetener and preservative
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
SUNDAYSnounUS /ˈsʌndeɪz/
plural of “sunday” — first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
a special situation
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
threadsnounUS /θredz/
informal terms for clothing
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading “Please mayn’t I try it only once?” she begged.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
unfinishedadjectiveUS /ənˈfɪnɪʃt/
not brought to the desired final state
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
an act that exploits or victimizes someone (treats them unfairly)
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
warpverbUS /wɔːrp/
make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
waxverbUS /wæks/
cover with wax
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
weavingnounUS /ˈwiːvɪŋ/
creating fabric
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading RAINY DAYS AND SUNDAYS Every day was full, but rainy days were fullest of all.
at the time that
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
in or at the place that
From this reading Those were the times when the children made fiddles of cornstalks, popguns of elder, and candles of bayberry wax, using elder stems for moulds; the times when they played in the big unfinished garret where two or three barrels of beautifully lumpy maple sugar always stood.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The threads of the warp were all drawn into the harness and the piece was well begun when Ella came, and she thought it would be the easiest thing in the world to give the shuttle the skillful little push that sent it sliding across the threads.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Boy Cousin’s mother had a loom and kept up the old custom of weaving one piece every year.
