used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
blousesnounUS /ˈblaʊsəz/
plural of “blouse” — a top worn by women
From this reading They were pillows stuffed into middy blouses.
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading Please stay with us until Lizzie comes.”
considerablyadverbUS /kənˈsɪdərəbli/
to a great extent or degree
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
decidedlyadverbUS /ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They were pillows stuffed into middy blouses.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
Lizzie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Please stay with us until Lizzie comes.”
MABEL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
middynoun
blouse with a sailor collar
From this reading They were pillows stuffed into middy blouses.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
orphansnounUS /ˈɔːrfənz/
plural of “orphan” — a child who has lost both parents
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
pillowsnounUS /ˈpɪloʊz/
plural of “pillow” — a cushion to support the head of a sleeping person
From this reading They were pillows stuffed into middy blouses.
placardverbUS /ˈplækərd/
post in a public place
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
give pleasure to or be pleasing to
From this reading Please stay with us until Lizzie comes.”
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
sleevesnounUS /sliːvz/
plural of “sleeve” — the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Please stay with us until Lizzie comes.”
STAYSnounUS /steɪz/
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
stuffedadjectiveUS /stʌft/
filled with something
From this reading They were pillows stuffed into middy blouses.
teasedadjectiveUS /tiːzd/
feeling mild pleasurable excitement
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MABEL STAYS HOME The girls teased Mabel considerably for the next few days.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were pillows stuffed into middy blouses.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Please stay with us until Lizzie comes.”
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Please stay with us until Lizzie comes.”
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading A large placard held forth by two stuffed sleeves read: “We are orphans.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading One afternoon she went to her room and was decidedly startled to find a dozen almost human objects seated on the floor, their backs braced against the wall.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were pillows stuffed into middy blouses.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Please stay with us until Lizzie comes.”
