used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LONG YEAR IN A SHORT CHAPTER.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading She only wished there had been.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading A LONG YEAR IN A SHORT CHAPTER.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
cornersnounUS /ˈkɔːrnərz/
plural of “corner” — a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
(Old Testament) Adam's wife in Judeo-Christian mythology: the first woman and mother of the human race; God created Eve from Adam's rib and placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
Eyebright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
activities that are enjoyable or amusing
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
the act of departing
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
headachenounUS /ˈhedeɪk/
something or someone that causes anxiety; a source of unhappiness
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A LONG YEAR IN A SHORT CHAPTER.
interruptverbUS /ˌɪntərˈʌpt/
make a break in
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
and nothing more
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
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 A LONG YEAR IN A SHORT CHAPTER.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
a particular point in time
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
not any; not one
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
no person; not anyone
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
and nothing more
From this reading She only wished there had been.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She only wished there had been.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A LONG YEAR IN A SHORT CHAPTER.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
stockingsnounUS /ˈstɑːkɪŋz/
plural of “stocking” — close-fitting hosiery to cover the foot and leg; come in matched pairs (usually used in the plural)
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was Christmas Eve, and Eyebright, alone in the kitchen, was hanging up the stockings before going to bed.
at the time that
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
which person or people
From this reading Papa, who had a headache, had retired early, so there was no one to interrupt her.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Half the fun of Christmas seems missing when there is nobody from whom to keep a secret, no mystery, no hiding of things in corners and bringing them out at just the right moment.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading She only wished there had been.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading A LONG YEAR IN A SHORT CHAPTER.
