used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
advices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
(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 Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
annualadjectiveUS /ˈænjuːəl/
completing its life cycle within a year
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
ArcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/
the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
an orange of low brightness and saturation
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
ChaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/
plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
chimneysnounUS /ˈtʃɪmniz/
plural of “chimney” — a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
despairedverbUS /dɪˈsperd/
past form of “despair” — abandon hope; give up hope; lose heart
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
discourageverbUS /dɪˈskɜːrɪdʒ/
try to prevent; show opposition to
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
elementsnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
a division of the United Kingdom
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
divisible by two
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
being the sex (of plant or animal) that produces fertilizable gametes (ova) from which offspring develop
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
femalesnounUS /ˈfiːmeɪlz/
plural of “female” — an animal that produces gametes (ova) that can be fertilized by male gametes
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtəd/
being the right size and shape to fit as desired
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
Fool'snounUS /fuːlz/
possessive form of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
the act of departing
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
Half-A-Dozen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
only a very short time before
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
HaynounUS /heɪ/
grass mowed and cured for use as fodder
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
howledverbUS /haʊld/
past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
hugverbUS /hʌɡ/
hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
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 The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
lambnounUS /læm/
young sheep
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
lingeredverbUS /ˈlɪŋɡərd/
past form of “linger” — remain present although waning or gradually dying
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
MainenounUS /meɪn/
a state in New England
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
march in a procession
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
nippingadjectiveUS /ˈnɪpɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
not any; not one
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
and nothing more
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
pussynounUS /ˈpʊsi/
obscene terms for female genitals
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
rosyadjectiveUS /ˈroʊzi/
reflecting optimism
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
SeminarynounUS /ˈseməneri/
a private place of education for the young
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
shiveredverbUS /ˈʃɪvərd/
past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
skinsnounUS /skɪnz/
plural of “skin” — a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
sleetnounUS /sliːt/
partially melted snow (or a mixture of rain and snow)
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
snow-birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
the season of growth
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
at a steady rate or pace
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
not in physical motion
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading A Story For Girls In Half-A-Dozen Chapters |MARCH had come in like a lion, and showed no sign of going out like a lamb.
swallowsnounUS /ˈswɑːloʊz/
plural of “swallow” — a small amount of liquid food
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
Wareham
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
warmthnounUS /wɔːrmθ/
the sensation caused by heat energy
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The swallows still lingered in the South, having received private advices from the snow-birds that State o' Maine weather, in the present season, was only fitted for Arctic explorers.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
at the time that
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
willownounUS /ˈwɪloʊ/
any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
willowsnounUS /ˈwɪloʊz/
plural of “willow” — any of numerous deciduous trees and shrubs of the genus Salix
From this reading The pussy willows knew that it was, or ought to be, spring, but although it takes a deal to discourage a New England pussy willow, they shivered in their brown skins and despaired of making their annual appearance even by April Fool's Hay.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The air was keen and nipping and the wind blew steadily from the north and howled about the chimneys until one hardly knew whether to hug the warmth of the open fire or to go out and battle with the elements.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Little did the rosy girls of the Wareham Female Seminary (girls were still “young females” when all this happened)--little did they care about snow and sleet and ice.
