used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
(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 He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
the qualities that give pleasure to the senses
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
the time when something begins (especially life)
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
christeningnounUS /ˈkrɪsənɪŋ/
giving a Christian name at baptism
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
a female human offspring
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
diamondsnounUS /ˈdaɪməndz/
plural of “diamond” — a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
fairiesnounUS /ˈferiz/
plural of “fairy” — a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
a ceremonial dinner party for many people
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
forknounUS /fɔːrk/
cutlery used for serving and eating food
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
godmothersnounUS /ˈɡɑːdmʌðərz/
plural of “godmother” — any woman who serves as a sponsor for a child at baptism
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
coins made of gold
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
grievedverbUS /ɡriːvd/
past form of “grieve” — feel grief
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
hopingverbUS /ˈhoʊpɪŋ/
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
imaginableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒənəbəl/
capable of being imagined
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
edge tool used as a cutting instrument; has a pointed blade with a sharp edge and a handle
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
immediately past
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
characterized by grandeur
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
not any; not one
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
on one occasion
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
overjoyedadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈdʒɔɪd/
extremely joyful
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
a large and stately mansion
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
perfections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
rubiesnounUS /ˈruːbiz/
plural of “ruby” — a transparent piece of ruby that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
the state of being asleep
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
sorelyadverbUS /ˈsɔːrli/
to a great degree
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
be standing; be upright
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
studdedadjectiveUS /ˈstʌdɪd/
dotted or adorned with or as with studs or nailheads; usually used in combination
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
in or at that place or location
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He asked all the fairies in the land--there were seven all told--to stand godmothers to the little princess, hoping that each might give her a gift, and so she should have all imaginable perfections.
at the time that
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
in or at the place that
From this reading After the christening, all the company returned to the palace, where a great feast had been spread for the fairy godmothers.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great christening feast, the like of which had never before been known.
which person or people
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before each was set a magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold fork studded with diamonds and rubies.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD Once upon a time there was a king and a queen who grieved sorely that they had no children.
