used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
(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 I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and no ability to roar: domestic cats; wildcats
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
cautiouslyadverbUS /ˈkɔːʃəsli/
as if with kid gloves; with caution or prudence or tact
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
cosilyadverb
in a cozy manner
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
a pair who associate with one another
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
dadnounUS /dæd/
an informal term for a father; probably derived from baby talk
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
dearly loved
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
dreamilyadverb
in a dreamy manner
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
plural of “dream” — a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
opinion or judgment
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
your parents
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
gambolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
half-closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
hassocknoun
thick cushion used as a seat
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
hearthrugnoun
a rug spread out in front of a fireplace
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
possessing or displaying a distinctive feature to a heightened degree
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
jollyadjectiveUS /ˈdʒɑːli/
full of or showing high-spirited merriment
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
deliver a sharp blow or push
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
lawnnounUS /lɔːn/
a field of cultivated and mowed grass
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
the literary culture
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
without good reason
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
come together
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
MISSINGadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
not any; not one
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
peepingverbUS /ˈpiːpɪŋ/
-ing form of “peep” — look furtively
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
perchnounUS /pɜːrtʃ/
support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
participate in games or sport
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
PRISCILLA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
with low volume
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
the feeling that comes when something burdensome is removed or reduced
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
move hurridly
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
cut with a saw
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
for a short time
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
SNAKEnounUS /sneɪk/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
inflected form of “step” — shift or move by taking a step
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
treadingverbUS /ˈtredɪŋ/
-ing form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
unsuspectingadjectiveUS /ˌʌnsəˈspektɪŋ/
not suspicious
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
the act of taking revenge (harming someone in retaliation for something harmful that they have done) especially in the next life
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
precisely as stated
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
(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 I SURPRISE THE OLD FOLKS AT HOME--ALL WELL--IS PRISCILLA FALSE--WE MEET--THE MISSING LETTERS--A SNAKE IN THE GRASS--DREAMS OF VENGEANCE.
at the time that
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading They looked very happy; so did a couple of dogs gambolling on the hearthrug, while our old cat sat on a rush hassock close by, looking dreamily at them through her half-closed eyes, when they threatened to knock her off her perch in their play.
which person or people
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading As I stepped upon the lawn no one was in sight, so treading lightly I walked up to the house, and looked quietly in at the window, peeping cautiously so as not to be seen.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading To my intense relief the picture I saw within quite assured me that all was well.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There sat my jolly old dad and my dear mother, cosily taking their tea, quite unsuspecting who would shortly join them in a cup.
