adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
abridgedadjectiveUS /əˈbrɪdʒd/
(used of texts) shortened by condensing or rewriting
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
abysmaladjectiveUS /əˈbɪzməl/
very great; limitless
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/
Having no one else present.
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
armnounUS /ɑːrm/
a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
barn-loft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
battle'snounUS /ˈbætəlz/
possessive form of “battle” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
blueadjectiveUS /bluː/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
bluestadjectiveUS /ˈbluːəst/
superlative of “blue” — of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
cheat-seed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
deceivedverbUS /dɪˈsiːvd/
past form of “deceive” — be false to; be dishonest with
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
despondentlyadverb
with desperation
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
discouragementnounUS /dɪˈskɜːrɪdʒmənt/
the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
fenceverbUS /fens/
enclose with a fence
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
fibernounUS /ˈfaɪbər/
a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
FIGHTINGnounUS /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
finishverbUS /ˈfɪnɪʃ/
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
FORprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
Fran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
Fran's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
gatheredadjectiveUS /ˈɡæðərd/
brought together in one place
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
Gregory'snounUS /ˈɡreɡəriz/
possessive form of “gregory” — (Roman Catholic Church) a church father known for his constant fight against perceived heresies; a saint and Doctor of the Church (329-391)
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
half-way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
HERdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
ill-supported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
laddernounUS /ˈlædər/
steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
laughingadjectiveUS /ˈlæfɪŋ/
showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
LIFEnounUS /laɪf/
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
listlessadjectiveUS /ˈlɪstləs/
lacking zest or vivacity
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
meantverbUS /ment/
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
merrimentnoun
a gay feeling
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
miserableadjectiveUS /ˈmɪzərəbəl/
very unhappy; full of misery
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
musclenounUS /ˈmʌsəl/
one of the contractile organs of the body
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
past form of “mutter” — talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
observernounUS /əbˈzɜːrvər/
a person who becomes aware (of things or events) through the senses
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
pleasedadjectiveUS /pliːzd/
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
sagverbUS /sæɡ/
droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
satnounUS /sæt/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
scrooch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
seemingadjectiveUS /ˈsiːmɪŋ/
appearing as such but not necessarily so
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
sitverbUS /sɪt/
be seated
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
skirtsnounUS /skɜːrts/
plural of “skirt” — cloth covering that forms the part of a garment below the waist
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
sowingverbUS /ˈsoʊɪŋ/
-ing form of “sow” — place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/
any distinct time period in a sequence of events
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE The next day found Fran the bluest of the blue.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/
plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
unbecominglyadverb
without decorousness
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading No laughing now, as she sat alone, half-way up the ladder leading to Gregory's barn-loft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She meant to be just as miserable as she pleased, since there was no observer to be deceived by sowing cheat-seed of merriment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With her skirts gathered up in a listless arm till they were unbecomingly abridged, with every muscle and fiber seeming to sag like an ill-supported fence, Fran's thoughts were at the abysmal stage of discouragement.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading "The battle's on now, to a finish," muttered Fran despondently, "yet here I sit, and here I scrooch."
