adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading So Polly took the pen again with a sigh.
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/
anew
From this reading So Polly took the pen again with a sigh.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading There isn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben's tired.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
badlyadverbUS /ˈbædli/
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
beginverbUS /bɪˈɡɪn/
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
BennounUS /ben/
a mountain or tall hill
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
Ben'snounUS /benz/
possessive form of “ben” — a mountain or tall hill
From this reading There isn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben's tired.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading There isn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben's tired.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
bitsnounUS /bɪts/
plural of “bit” — a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
boynounUS /bɔɪ/
a youthful male person
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
can't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There isn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben's tired.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
criedverbUS /kraɪd/
inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
excuseverbUS /ɪksˈkjuːs/
accept an excuse for
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
feltverbUS /felt/
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
gingerbreadnounUS /ˈdʒɪndʒərbred/
cake flavored with ginger
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
guessverbUS /ɡes/
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
herselfpronounUS /hərˈself/
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
isn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There isn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben's tired.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
letternounUS /ˈletər/
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
lettersnounUS /ˈletərz/
the literary culture
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
likedadjectiveUS /laɪkt/
found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading There isn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben's tired.
mostadverbUS /moʊst/
used to form the superlative
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
pennounUS /pen/
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading So Polly took the pen again with a sigh.
Phronsie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
pleaseverbUS /pliːz/
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
Polly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
relievedadjectiveUS /rɪˈliːvd/
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
showverbUS /ʃoʊ/
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
sickadjectiveUS /sɪk/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
sighverbUS /saɪ/
heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily
From this reading So Polly took the pen again with a sigh.
sleepnounUS /sliːp/
a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
tellingadjectiveUS /ˈtelɪŋ/
disclosing unintentionally something concealed
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
that's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading So Polly took the pen again with a sigh.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/
depleted of strength or energy
From this reading There isn't any more to write, and besides I can't write good, and Ben's tired.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
tookverbUS /tʊk/
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading So Polly took the pen again with a sigh.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading So Polly took the pen again with a sigh.
won't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Now he won't think so, I guess,” she said, much relieved, as Ben began to read again.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
writeverbUS /raɪt/
produce a literary work
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
YesnounUS /jes/
an affirmative
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Yes, you can,” said Ben; “there, now I'll show you: write it fine, Polly--you write so big--little bits of letters, like these.”
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
yourspronounUS /jʊrz/
the one or ones belonging to the person spoken to
From this reading “I'll begin yours again,” Ben said: “We most of us knew you were sick because you didn't come, and we liked your letter telling us so because we'd all felt so badly, and Phronsie cried herself to sleep--” (that's good, I'm sure.) “The 'gingerbread boy' is for your father--please excuse it, but Phronsie would make it for him because he is sick.
