used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
(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 Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
goddess of criminal rashness and its punishment
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
Betty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
a short stout club used primarily by policemen
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
comfortablyadverbUS /ˈkʌmfərtəbli/
in mental comfort; without stress
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
daybreaknounUS /ˈdeɪbreɪk/
the first light of day
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
dressed or clothed especially in fine attire; often used in combination
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
divisible by two
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
at any time
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
a social unit living together
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
George'snounUS /ˈdʒɔːrdʒəz/
possessive form of “george” — Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
house-servants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
immediately past
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
go away from a place
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
set afire or burning
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
a woman of refinement
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
not any; not one
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
portmanteaunounUS /ˈpɔːrtmɑːntoʊ/
a new word formed by joining two others and combining their meanings
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
self-controlnounUS /ˌselfkənˈtroʊl/
the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
not in physical motion
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
surpassedverbUS /sərˈpæst/
past form of “surpass” — distinguish oneself
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
travellersnounUS /ˈtrævələrz/
plural of “traveller” — a person who changes location
From this reading His mother then took the book from him and read the prayers for travellers about to start on a journey.
trundle-beds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
wakenverbUS /ˈweɪkən/
cause to become awake or conscious
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
which person or people
From this reading Madam Washington, little Betty, and all the house-servants were up and dressed, but it was thought best not to waken the three little boys, who slept on comfortably in their trundle-beds.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Before daybreak the next morning George came down stairs, Billy following with his portmanteau.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading She was quite composed, for no woman ever surpassed Madam Washington in self-control; but little Betty still wept, and would not leave George's side even while he ate his breakfast.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading The candles were lighted, and for the last time for two months--which seems long to the young--George had family prayers.
