used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
using the voice; not silently
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
bakingnounUS /ˈbeɪkɪŋ/
making bread or cake or pastry etc.
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
Barry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
boilingnounUS /ˈbɔɪlɪŋ/
the application of heat to change something from a liquid to a gas
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
bowlnounUS /boʊl/
a round vessel that is open at the top; used chiefly for holding food or liquids
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
the act of burning something
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
bustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
cheerfullyadverbUS /ˈtʃɪrfəli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
a small open container usually used for drinking; usually has a handle
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
dishnounUS /dɪʃ/
a piece of dishware normally used as a container for holding or serving food
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
embersnounUS /ˈembərz/
plural of “ember” — a hot fragment of wood or coal that is left from a fire and is glowing or smoldering
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
extraadjectiveUS /ˈekstrə/
more than is needed, desired, or required
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading GOOD ST.
the mother of your father or mother
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
with gusto and without reservation
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
used when the woman or girl doing the action is also its object
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
I'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
kettlenounUS /ˈketəl/
a metal pot for stewing or boiling; usually has a lid
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
engage in
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
the food served and eaten at one time
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
measuredadjectiveUS /ˈmeʒərd/
having notes of fixed rhythmic value
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
oatenadjective
of or related to or derived from oats
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
PATRICKnounUS /ˈpætrɪk/
Apostle and patron saint of Ireland; an English missionary to Ireland in the 5th century
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
peatnounUS /piːt/
partially carbonized vegetable matter saturated with water; can be used as a fuel when dried
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
peddlernounUS /ˈpedlər/
someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
(baseball) base consisting of a rubber slab where the batter stands; it must be touched by a base runner in order to score
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
past form of “pour” — cause to run
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
cut with a saw
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
the context and environment in which something is set
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
a short musical composition with words
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
ST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD ST.
steamingadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/
filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
stirabout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
taynounUS /teɪ/
a branch of the Tai languages
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading "I'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
(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'll make a good cup of tay, and well have a supper fit for the king," Grandmother Barry said aloud to herself, as she measured out the tea carefully and poured the boiling water over it.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The potatoes were baking in the embers, the kettle was boiling cheerfully over the burning peat, and a big dish of oaten stirabout was already steaming on the table.
at the time that
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
which person or people
From this reading PATRICK Grandmother Barry heard the song, and went to the door to see who was singing it so heartily.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When she saw the peddler with the children she hurried to put an extra bowl and plate on the table, and bustled about the room setting out the simple meal.
