used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
in the past
From this reading "Yes, some years ago," she replied.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
attacksnounUS /əˈtæks/
plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
Elsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
fortsnounUS /fɔːrts/
plural of “fort” — a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
frettingverbUS /ˈfretɪŋ/
inflected form of “fret” — worry unnecessarily or excessively
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
GrandmanounUS /ˈɡrændmɑː/
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
haven't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
held up in the air
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
listenernounUS /ˈlɪsənər/
someone who listens attentively
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
informal terms for a mother
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
Raymond's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "Yes, some years ago," she replied.
revolutionaryadjectiveUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃəneri/
markedly new or introducing radical change
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Yes, some years ago," she replied.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading "Yes, some years ago," she replied.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
soothingadjectiveUS /ˈsuːðɪŋ/
affording physical relief
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
stirringnounUS /ˈstɜːrɪŋ/
agitating a liquid with an implement
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
express in words
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
tenderlyadverbUS /ˈtendərli/
with tenderness; in a tender manner
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
the quality of a person's voice
From this reading The captain lifted him tenderly, saying something in a soothing tone, and carried him away to another part of the deck.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
precisely as stated
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
German conductor (1876-1962)
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
(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 Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
in or at the place that
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
which person or people
From this reading Little Ned, who was not very well, began fretting and reaching out his arms to be taken by his father.
a late time of life
From this reading "Yes, some years ago," she replied.
an affirmative
From this reading "Yes, some years ago," she replied.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "You have visited the places near here where there was fighting in those days, haven't you, mamma?" asked Walter.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Then the young people, gathering about Grandma Elsie, who had been an almost silent listener to Captain Raymond's account of the attacks upon the forts, and the gallant conduct of their defenders, begged her to tell them something more of the stirring events of those revolutionary days.
