used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
propose a payment
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
a small house with a single story
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
curlsnounUS /kɜːrlz/
plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
door-step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
drudgerynounUS /ˈdrʌdʒəri/
hard monotonous routine work
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
apart from; not including
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
fanverbUS /fæn/
strike out (a batter), (of a pitcher)
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
Ford'snounUS /fɔːrdz/
possessive form of “ford” — United States film maker (1896-1973)
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
a social unit living together
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
idlyadverbUS /ˈaɪdli/
in an idle manner
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
JacobnounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəb/
French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
Jacob'snounUS /ˈdʒeɪkəbz/
possessive form of “jacob” — French biochemist who (with Jacques Monod) studied regulatory processes in cells (born in 1920)
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
and nothing more
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
lapverbUS /læp/
lie partly over or alongside of something or of one another
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
departing or being caused to depart from the true vertical or horizontal
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
incomplete skeleton of female found in eastern Ethiopia in 1974
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
by chance
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
mechanicallyadverbUS /məˈkænɪkli/
in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
outskirtsnounUS /ˈaʊtskɜːrts/
outlying areas (as of a city or town)
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
not often
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
shudderingadjectiveUS /ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/
shaking convulsively or violently
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
be seated
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
soothinglyadverbUS /ˈsuːðɪŋli/
in a soothing manner
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
stiflingnounUS /ˈstaɪflɪŋ/
forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
strayedverbUS /streɪd/
past form of “stray” — move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
templesnounUS /ˈtempəlz/
plural of “temple” — place of worship consisting of an edifice for the worship of a deity
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
temptverbUS /tempt/
dispose or incline or entice to
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
thresholdnounUS /ˈθreʃoʊld/
the starting point for a new state or experience
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
twistingnounUS /ˈtwɪstɪŋ/
the act of distorting something so it seems to mean something it was not intended to mean
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
uncomplaininglyadverb
without complaining
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading She seldom or never spoke; did mechanically what she was bid, except that she drew shuddering back, when they would have led her across the threshold.
at the time that
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
in or at the place that
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was beautiful to see Lucy stifling her own sorrow, while she moved about, performing uncomplainingly the household drudgery.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Jacob Ford’s new home was a little cottage, just on the outskirts of the city; for Lucy said, “maybe the flowers, and the little birds, and the green grass might tempt Mary out of doors, where the wind might fan her pale cheek.”
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Mary would sit at the window, twisting her curls idly over her fingers, or leaning out, as if watching for Percy.
wrinkledadjectiveUS /ˈrɪŋkəld/
marked by wrinkles
From this reading Sometimes she would sit on the low door-step, when the stars came out, with her head in Jacob’s lap, while his wrinkled fingers strayed soothingly over her temples.
