used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
a positive feeling of liking
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
(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 That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
to a severe or serious degree
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
cake-baking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
a low-lying region in central France
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
-ing form of “consider” — deem to be
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
contributedverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪd/
past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
DeckernounUS /ˈdekər/
English dramatist and pamphleteer (1572-1632)
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
eggless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
Ella
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
frequentverbUS /ˈfriːkwənt/
do one's shopping at; do business with; be a customer or client of
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
garrulousadjectiveUS /ˈɡerələs/
full of trivial conversation
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
something acquired without compensation
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
girlishadjectiveUS /ˈɡɜːrlɪʃ/
befitting or characteristic of a young girl
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
(Christian theology) a state of sanctification by God; the state of one who is under such divine influence
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
hammocknounUS /ˈhæmək/
a small natural hill
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
hat-making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
a married man; a woman's partner in marriage
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
ice-wool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/
incapable of being avoided or prevented
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
knacknounUS /næk/
a special way of doing something
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
immediately past
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
a human limb; commonly used to refer to a whole limb but technically only the part of the limb between the knee and ankle
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
be successful; achieve a goal
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
take in marriage
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
a form of address for a man
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
and nothing more
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
porchnounUS /pɔːrtʃ/
a structure attached to the exterior of a building often forming a covered entrance
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
prettinessnoun
the quality of being appealing in a delicate or graceful way (of a girl or young woman)
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
referredverbUS /rəˈfɜːrd/
inflected form of “refer” — make reference to
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
reminiscencenounUS /ˌreməˈnɪsəns/
a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
rheumatismnounUS /ˈruːmətɪzəm/
any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
sagverbUS /sæɡ/
droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
seasonsnounUS /ˈsiːzənz/
plural of “season” — a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
sequencenounUS /ˈsiːkwəns/
serial arrangement in which things follow in logical order or a recurrent pattern
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
shawlsnounUS /ʃɔːlz/
plural of “shawl” — cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
sleevenounUS /sliːv/
the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and that provides a cloth covering for the arm
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
Sophy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
spinalnounUS /ˈspaɪnəl/
anesthesia of the lower half of the body; caused by injury to the spinal cord or by injecting an anesthetic beneath the arachnoid membrane that surrounds the spinal cord
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
the act of changing or reversing the direction of the course
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
twineverbUS /twaɪn/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
not clearly expressed or understood
From this reading Mrs. Decker, vague, garrulous, and given to ice-wool shawls, referred to her dead husband, in frequent reminiscence, as poor Mr. Decker.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading Mrs. Decker dragged one leg as she walked--rheumatism, or a spinal affection.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading That the three girls should marry well, and Sophy not at all, was as inevitable as the sequence of the seasons.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Ella and Grace did not manage badly, considering that they had only their girlish prettiness and the twine hammock to work with.
year'snounUS /jɪrz/
possessive form of “year” — a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading Small wonder, then, that Sophy, the plain, with a gift for hat-making, a knack at eggless cake-baking, and a genius for turning a sleeve so that last year's style met this year's without a struggle, contributed nothing to the sag in the centre of the old twine hammock on the front porch.
