Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

united by being of the same opinion

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

past form of “bloom” — produce or yield flowers

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading It was a pleasant walk down the broad street.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

plural of “delight” — a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading It was a pleasant walk down the broad street.

being one more than seven

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

plural of “fence” — a barrier that serves to enclose an area

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

plural of “garden” — a plot of ground where plants are cultivated

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

plural of “geranium” — any of numerous plants of the family Geraniaceae

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

plural of “hollyhock” — any of various plants of the genus Althaea; similar to but having smaller flowers than genus Alcea

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

past form of “invite” — increase the likelihood of

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was a pleasant walk down the broad street.

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

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 BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

according to the clock

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

out of fashion

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

plural of “passer-by” — a person who passes by casually or by chance

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

participate in games or sport

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading It was a pleasant walk down the broad street.

plural of “porch” — a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

plural of “rose” — any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

an educational institution

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

the context and environment in which something is set

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

walk consisting of a paved area for pedestrians; usually beside a street or roadway

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

be seated

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading It was a pleasant walk down the broad street.

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

carry out

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

the act of traveling by foot

From this reading It was a pleasant walk down the broad street.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The gardens were full of old-fashioned flowers that bloomed as if they were having the best time of their lives.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Between them and the sidewalk were fences so low and open that they invited passers-by to stop and see the roses, geraniums, hollyhocks, ladies’-delights, or none-so-pretties, sweet Mary, sweet William, and the rest of them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading It had been a street of homes with flower gardens and trees and wide front steps, and porches that looked as if people liked to sit in them summer evenings and talk and have good times together.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading BOOKS AND PLAY The mother had agreed to take charge of a private school in the city for a year; and before many days had passed, Ella was setting out every morning at eight o’clock to practice an hour before school opened.