used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
a special loved one
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
opinion or judgment
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
destroyed or killed
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
GOOD-BYnoun
a farewell remark
From this reading "GOOD-BY, MAMMA!"
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
go away from a place
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
informal terms for a mother
From this reading "GOOD-BY, MAMMA!"
moment'snounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/
possessive form of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
nicelyadverbUS /ˈnaɪsli/
in a nice way
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
obedientadjectiveUS /oʊˈbiːdiənt/
dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
and nothing more
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
restoreverbUS /rɪˈstɔːr/
return to its original or usable and functioning condition
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
plural of “say” — the chance to speak
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
shadingnounUS /ˈʃeɪdɪŋ/
graded markings that indicate light or shaded areas in a drawing or painting
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
a special situation
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading "I never, never can go away, for five weeks, and leave these children; I should not have a moment's peace."
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The children will be nicely taken care of, and I am sure they will be as good and obedient as possible while you are gone."
a Caucasian
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
in the company of; together with
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "I don't see how I can do such a thing," said mamma, shading her eyes with a hand so white and thin that you could almost see through it.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "But, my darling," said papa, "the doctor says it is the only thing that will restore your health.
