used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading It was an August afternoon, and the sun was very bright in the heavens.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was an August afternoon, and the sun was very bright in the heavens.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
the month following July and preceding September
From this reading It was an August afternoon, and the sun was very bright in the heavens.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading It was an August afternoon, and the sun was very bright in the heavens.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
cedarnounUS /ˈsiːdər/
any of numerous trees of the family Cupressaceae that resemble cedars
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
cedar-tree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/
come together as in a cluster or flock
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading HOW COULD HE HELP IT?
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
croquetverbUS /kroʊˈkeɪ/
drive away by hitting with one's ball
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
a plot of ground where plants are cultivated
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
garden-chairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading HOW COULD HE HELP IT?
the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected
From this reading It was an August afternoon, and the sun was very bright in the heavens.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading HOW COULD HE HELP IT?
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
HOW
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOW COULD HE HELP IT?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading HOW COULD HE HELP IT?
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
a small worthless amount
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
malletnounUS /ˈmælɪt/
a sports implement with a long handle and a head like a hammer; used in sports (polo or croquet) to hit a ball
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
participate in games or sport
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
the act of playing a musical instrument
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
be seated
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading It was an August afternoon, and the sun was very bright in the heavens.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading "I think it's almost too hot to play," she said.
a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
precisely as stated
From this reading It was an August afternoon, and the sun was very bright in the heavens.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
at the time that
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading Jack was of course quite willing to sit under the cedar-tree instead of playing croquet.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When he returned she was out in the garden with her hat on and a mallet in her hand; but she was seated on one of a cluster of garden-chairs under a great cedar tree.
