Chapter I · Chapter 1

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

a tubular wind instrument; the player blows air into a bag and squeezes it out through the drone

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

a courteous or respectful or considerate act

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

plural of “curl” — a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading THE DANCE IN THE KITCHEN.

a special loved one

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

state emphatically and authoritatively

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

put on clothes

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

having an (over)abundance of flesh

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

for a limitless time

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

plural of “girl” — a young female

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

past form of “grasp” — hold firmly

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE DANCE IN THE KITCHEN.

people of Ireland or of Irish extraction

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

dance a quick dance with leaping and kicking motions

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

the act of bringing two things into contact (especially for communication)

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

a room equipped for preparing meals

From this reading THE DANCE IN THE KITCHEN.

showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

characterized by a buoyant rhythm

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

comparative of “loud” — characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

a person's partner in marriage

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

participate in games or sport

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

(of games) engaged in

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

obscene terms for female genitals

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

the dialect of English used in Scotland

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

creeping European clover having white to pink flowers and bright green leaves; naturalized in United States; widely grown for forage

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

at once

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE DANCE IN THE KITCHEN.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

up to a particular time

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

very small

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

precisely as stated

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading 'Twas a lilting Scottish air, And it seemed, I do declare, As though bagpipe played by fairy was forever joining in.

during the time that

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Oh, that winter afternoon, Such a merry, merry tune As the jolly, fat tea-kettle chose its singing to begin!

in the company of; together with

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Then the bagpipe ceased to play, And another tune straightway Sang the kettle, louder, louder, till its voice grew very big; And the feet of laughing girls (Girls with shamrock in their curls) You could almost hear a-keeping time to that old Irish jig.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Darling, smiling, cunning Bess Grasped with tiny hands her dress, And a pretty courtesy making, while the kettle made a bow, "I'll your partner be," said she; "Forward, backward, one, two, three;" And pussy cried, "Bravo! my dears," in one immense me-ow.