used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
absentadjectiveUS /ˈæbsənt/
not being in a specified place
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
(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 Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
candlesnounUS /ˈkændəlz/
plural of “candle” — stick of wax with a wick in the middle
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
Christmas-eve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
circledverbUS /ˈsɜːrkəld/
past form of “circle” — travel around something
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
coloredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
comelyadjectiveUS /ˈkʌmli/
according with custom or propriety
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Not to be absent for long now; for Joshua is coming home.
the act of departing
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
at any time
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
apart from; not including
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
a social unit living together
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
brought together in one place
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
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 That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
plural of “girl” — a young female
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
plural of “guest” — a visitor to whom hospitality is extended
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
be suspended or hanging
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
happieradjectiveUS /ˈhæpiər/
comparative of “happy” — enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Not to be absent for long now; for Joshua is coming home.
hoopsnounUS /huːps/
a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
JoshuanounUS /ˈdʒɑːʃuːə/
(Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho
From this reading Not to be absent for long now; for Joshua is coming home.
Joshua'snounUS /ˈdʒɑːʃuːəz/
possessive form of “joshua” — (Old Testament) Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land; best remembered for his destruction of Jericho
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
a room equipped for preparing meals
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
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 Not to be absent for long now; for Joshua is coming home.
for more time
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
a strong positive emotion of regard and affection
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
MarvelverbUS /ˈmɑːrvəl/
be amazed at
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
Marvel'snounUS /ˈmɑːrvəlz/
possessive form of “marvel” — something that causes feelings of wonder
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
a form of address for a man
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
not any; not one
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not to be absent for long now; for Joshua is coming home.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
proclaimedadjectiveUS /proʊˈkleɪmd/
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
pulsingnounUS /ˈpʌlsɪŋ/
(electronics) a sharp transient wave in the normal electrical state (or a series of such transients)
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
SarahnounUS /ˈserə/
(Old Testament) the wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Not to be absent for long now; for Joshua is coming home.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
at the time that
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
which person or people
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
belonging to which person
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Those of them who were young when he left are no longer boys and girls, except in their hearts, which are as young as ever, and which are pulsing with love for the absent hero.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading A happier party was never assembled within four walls than is now gathered together within the four walls of Mr. Marvel's kitchen.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
wood-turner's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That it is Christmas-eve is proclaimed by the two little hoops which hang from the ceiling, circled by colored Christmas candles; and that the kindly influence of the time has fallen in full measure upon the wood-turner's house may be read in the faces of George Marvel and his family and guests.
a late time of life
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Sarah Marvel, whose place in this history is but a small one, has grown into a comely young woman; and, indeed, the four years which have elapsed since Joshua's departure have changed all his friends for the better.
