used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
AllennounUS /ˈælən/
United States comedienne remembered as the confused but imperturbable partner of her husband, George Burns (1906-1964)
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
in addition
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
BABIESnounUS /ˈbeɪbiz/
plural of “baby” — a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk
From this reading CHINESE BABIES.
having undesirable or negative qualities
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
terminate
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
callersnounUS /ˈkɔːlərz/
plural of “caller” — a social or business visitor
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
centre-table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
CHINESEnounUS /tʃaɪˈniːz/
any of the Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in China; regarded as dialects of a single language (even though they are mutually unintelligible) because they share an ideographic writing system
From this reading CHINESE BABIES.
dearly loved
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
emotionsnounUS /ɪˈmoʊʃənz/
plural of “emotion” — any strong feeling
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
FannynounUS /ˈfæni/
the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
Fred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
an established custom
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
indignantlyadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnəntliː/
in an indignant manner
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
innocentlyadverbUS /ˈɪnəsəntli/
in a not unlawful manner
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
journalnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnəl/
a daily written record of (usually personal) experiences and observations
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
matter-of-factadjective
not fanciful or imaginative
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
not any; not one
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
many times at short intervals
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
opinionsnounUS /əˈpɪnjənz/
plural of “opinion” — a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
pianonounUS /piˈænoʊ/
a keyboard instrument that is played by depressing keys that cause hammers to strike tuned strings and produce sounds
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
recordingnounUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪŋ/
a signal that encodes something (e.g., picture or sound) that has been recorded
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
up to a particular time
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
a source of difficulty
From this reading But Mary had a habit of recording her emotions, also her opinions of her friends,—a bad habit, which she did not break off till it had nearly brought her into trouble.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE journal was a pretty little red book, which lay sometimes on the piano, sometimes on the centre-table, and was often opened innocently enough by callers.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “What does Fred Allen mean by calling me ‘Miss Fanny dear, with mouth stretched from ear to ear’?” asked Fanny Townsend, indignantly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If it had been the simple, matter-of-fact little book that it ought to have been, the reading of it would have done no harm.
