aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
the state of being absent
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/
choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
(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 In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading 'How do you know that?' asked uncle Bryan sharply.
the verbal act of requesting
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
being joined in close association
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
boldlyadverbUS /ˈboʊldli/
with boldness, in a bold manner
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
broomsnounUS /bruːmz/
plural of “broom” — a cleaning implement for sweeping; bundle of straws or twigs attached to a long handle
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
BryannounUS /ˈbraɪən/
United States lawyer and politician who advocated free silver and prosecuted John Scopes (1925) for teaching evolution in a Tennessee high school (1860-1925)
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
chatteringnounUS /ˈtʃætərɪŋ/
the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading 'How do you know that?' asked uncle Bryan sharply.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
enamoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
a social unit living together
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
having or displaying warmth or affection
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
growlingnounUS /ˈɡroʊlɪŋ/
a gruff or angry utterance (suggestive of the growling of an animal)
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
grumbleverbUS /ˈɡrʌmbəl/
show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'How do you know that?' asked uncle Bryan sharply.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
past form of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
jackdaws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading 'How do you know that?' asked uncle Bryan sharply.
leisurenounUS /ˈleʒər/
time available for ease and relaxation
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
plural of “one” — the smallest whole number or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
peacocksnounUS /ˈpiːkɑːks/
plural of “peacock” — European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
reasonableadjectiveUS /ˈriːzənəbəl/
showing reason or sound judgment
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
resentverbUS /rɪˈzent/
feel bitter or indignant about
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
sarcasticallyadverbUS /sɑːrˈkæstɪkli/
in a sarcastic manner
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
in an aggressive manner
From this reading 'How do you know that?' asked uncle Bryan sharply.
the display of a motion picture
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic organization
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
depleted of energy, force, or strength
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading Jessie stepped in to defend me, and said boldly that uncle Bryan was not so fond of our society as to have reasonable cause to grumble at our absence.
possessing sweep
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Uncle Bryan seemed to resent this, growling that 'new brooms swept clean,' and asking me sarcastically if I intended to adopt the fashion through life of throwing over old friends for new ones.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading 'You want people to be like peacocks or jackdaws, always showing their feathers or chattering about themselves.'
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
structure consisting of a sloping way down to the water from the place where ships are built or repaired
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading In due time I was introduced to other members of the West family, and grew so much attached to them, and so enamoured of their ways, that I spent nearly all my leisure in their company.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading 'How do you know that?' asked uncle Bryan sharply.
