used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
(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 Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
birthdaynounUS /ˈbɜːrθdeɪ/
an anniversary of the day on which a person was born (or the celebration of it)
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
a seat for one person, with a support for the back
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
DownstairsadverbUS /ˈdaʊnˈsterz/
on a floor below
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
King of England and Ireland in 1936; his marriage to Wallis Warfield Simpson created a constitutional crisis leading to his abdication (1894-1972)
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
Elisabeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
the organ of sight
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
steadfast in affection or allegiance
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
Gertrude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
arousing or holding the attention
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
knittingnounUS /ˈnɪtɪŋ/
needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
Lincoln'snounUS /ˈlɪŋkənz/
possessive form of “lincoln” — 16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
Merriam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
a human being
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
more desirable than another
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
scarfnounUS /skɑːrf/
a garment worn around the head or neck or shoulders for warmth or decoration
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
Smith'snounUS /smɪθs/
possessive form of “smith” — Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
soldier'snounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərz/
possessive form of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
steadinessnounUS /ˈstedinɪs/
freedom from wavering or indecision; constancy of resolve or conduct
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
not in physical motion
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
required or under orders
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
surveyingnounUS /sərˈveɪɪŋ/
the practice of measuring angles and distances on the ground so that they can be accurately plotted on a map
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
an exchange of ideas via conversation
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
on a floor above
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
VALENTINE'SnounUS /ˈvæləntaɪnz/
possessive form of “valentine” — a sweetheart chosen to receive a greeting on Saint Valentine's Day
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
close enough to be walked to
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading VALENTINE'S DAY It was the day after Lincoln's birthday, and Saturday.
look attentively
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
Watkins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
weeklynounUS /ˈwiːkli/
a periodical that is published every week (or 52 issues per year)
From this reading Edward Watkins had come out for his weekly visit to Elisabeth and was sitting in Mrs. Smith's living room surveying her and talking to Miss Merriam.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Downstairs Edward leaned forward from his chair in front of Gertrude and picked up the ball from which she was knitting a soldier's scarf.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
which person or people
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Elisabeth was walking with a fair degree of steadiness now, and made her way about all the rooms of the house without assistance.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She still preferred to crawl upstairs and she could do that so fast that the person who was supposed to watch her had to be faithful or she would disappear while an eye lingered too long on the page of an interesting book or on the face of a friend.
